SWR continues to run Shramik Special trains on Thursday carrying migrant workers, students and families to their home towns in different parts of the country.
Today 21.05.2020, SWR operated 8 more Shramik Special trains, One from Tamil Nadu to Uttar Pradesh, two from Hubballi to Lucknow and Chattisgarh and from Bengaluru, two to Bihar, one each to Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh upto 7.00 pm. Today on 21.05.2020 so far 11,557 passengers were ferried on eight Shramik Specials.
SWR has so far run 116 Shramik Specials carrying 1,62,329 migrant workers, students and families to return to their home towns, in different parts of the country after the relaxation of Lockdown in Karnataka.
SWR’s first Shramik Special today left from KSR Bengaluru to Jaipur at 01.20 hrs with 1131 passengers.
SWR’s second Shramik Special today from Hubballi left to Lucknow at 12.00 hrs with 1513 passengers. Later at 16.00 hrs the second Shramik Special from Hubballi left for Darbahanga carrying 1596 passengers. So far Hubballi division has run 12 Shramik Specials.
The third Shramik special of SWR today left from Hosur in Tamil Nadu to Deoria in Uttar Pradesh at 13.50 hrs carrying with 1600 passengers.
The fourth Shramik special left from Bengaluru Cant to Barauni in Bihar at 15.15 hrs with 1531 passenger. The sixth Shramik special left from Chikkabanavara in Bengaluru to Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh at 16.35 hrs with 1205 passenger.
The seventh Shramik special left from Bengaluru Cant. to Gaya at 17.15 hrs with 1531 passenger.
Five more Shramik trains are slated to run later this evening from Bengaluru, three to Uttar Pradesh and one each to Bihar and Tripura.
SWR has taken initiative to distribute toys to the children of the migrant workers leaving Bengaluru in the Shramik Special trains so that they will have memories of their return journey. These Channapatna toys are famous and made of wood and quite popular among the children and also a symbol of self-reliant India.
Hon’ble Prime Minister has appreciated the initative of SWR and has today tweeted in Mann Ki Baat tweet updates. Hon’ble Minister of Railway has informed that Railway is ready to operate Special trains in coordination with State Government to carry stranded migrant workers and families to their hometowns.
Hon’ble MoSR, has assured that SWR will continue running Shramik special to carry stranded migrant workers and ensure that there is no shortage of food and essential commodities during the covid-19 crisis.
SWR is transporting passengers to their destination as per the demand of State Government with proper protocol and the receiving State Government is ready to accept them. These special trains are being run from point to point with no stoppages en-route. State Government is arranging to bring passengers of Shramik Special trains to the stations through BMTC Buses as per the protocol.
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have granted permission for movement of the stranded citizens including migrants labourers, workers, students, tourists to return to their native towns. As per the list provided by State Government, arrangement of train services for aprox 11,557 citizens were made for them to return to their native place from Bengaluru, Hosur and Hubballi.
The passengers are being provided with food packet and 2 water bottles of one litre capacity each, dates, cookies and buttermilk for their journey en-route. The passengers were very happy to be returning to their hometowns. They thanked the Railways and State Govt for arranging their return journey.
Care is being taken to ensure social distancing, wearing of masks and sanitizing of hands and making regular announcement to caution the passengers for prevention and spread of Covid-19 virus before departure from Hubballi, Chikkabanavara, Malur and Bengaluru Cant. Stations.
Hand Sanitizer along with liquid soap has been provided in all coaches to protect against spread of Covid-19 Virus. Railway is also ensuring complete sanitization of all coaches before boarding of special train by the passengers..
Special Trains are departing the Stations only after all the passengers are medically examined by Government of Karnataka and issued medical certificate. Thermal screening is again done by Railway Medical Teams at the stations. None of the passengers was detected with high temperature. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) team is escorting the trains and ensuring social distancing. Details of passengers, coach-wise with address and mobile Nos. have been obtained. Details have been digitalized and stored for contact tracing in future, if required.
