SWR on Saturday operated 7 more Shramik Special trains to Northern and Eastern states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal. SWR has so far run 61 Shramik Specials for migrant workers, students and families to return back to their home towns, in different parts of the country after relaxation of Lockdown in Karnataka. Two more Shramik Special are scheduled to leave from Bengaluru to Odisha and Jharkhand later tonight.
The first two Shramik Special train of SWR from Mysuru today left from Kabakaputtur to Lucknow with 1520 passengers at 14.15 hrs followed by the second special train from Ashokapuram to Gorakhpur with 1520 passengers at 15.20 hrs.
The third Shramik Special train from Bengaluru carrying 1457 passengers left from Malur to Darbhanga in Bihar at 16.05 hrs. Passengers were happy that State Govt. and Railway had arranged for them to return to their hometown in Bihar.
The fourth Shramik Special train left at 16.30 hrs from Chikkabanavara to Nergundi in Odisha carrying 1518 passengers. Passengers were seen waving to the security and railway personnel as the train rolled out of the station.
The fifth Shramik special from Chikkabanavara to Lucknow left at 18.00 hrs with 1515 passengers on board. This is the 18th Train from Karnataka to Uttar Pradesh.
The sixth Shramik special and 60th train of SWR from Malur to Purnia in Bihar left at 19.15 hrs with 1299 passengers on board.
The seventh Shramik special from Chikkabanavara to Malda in West Bengal left at 20.00 hrs with 958 passengers on board.
The eight Shramik special left from Bellari to Saharsa in Bihar at 21.25 hrs with 1395 passengers on board.
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have granted permission for movement of the stranded citizens including migrant labourers, workers, students, tourists to return to their native towns. As per the list provided by State Government, arrangement of train services for approx 11,182 citizens were made for them to return to their native place from Mysuru and Bengaluru. Hon’ble Minister of Railway has tweeted that Railway has become a blessing for the people by helping those stranded far away due to Lockdown reach their hometowns and Railways is ready to run trains from any district to anywhere.
State Government had arranged to bring passengers of Shramik Special trains to the stations through BMTC Buses as per the protocol. 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.
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 Government 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 Kabakaputtur, Ashokapuram, Chikkabanavara and Malur 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.
Anyone who has to travel should contact the State Govt. only and No tickets are being issued at Railway Stations over SWR. Reservation can be done for special train services through IRCTC website
