SWR continues to run Shramik Special trains on Friday for migrant workers, students and families to their home towns in different parts of the country. Today 29.05.2020, 7 (seven) Shramik Special trains are scheduled to be operated today, four from Bengaluru to Bihar, one to West Bengal, one from Mysuru to West Bengal and one from Koppal to Odisha.
SWR is going all out to arrange for trains as per the demand of the state Govt. to all parts of country so that migrant workers can reach their hometowns. Three Shramik Special trains have already been departed today, One from Ashokapuram in Mysuru to New Jalpaguri in West Bengal, and two from Bengaluru to Dharbanga and Muzaffarpur in Bihar.
As per the list provided by State Government, today two more trains will leave from Bengaluru to Bihar, one to West Bengal and one from Koppal to Odisha. SWR has so far run 172 Shramik Specials carrying 2.47 Lakh passengers mostly migrant workers, students and families to their home towns in different parts of the country after relaxation of Lockdown in Karnataka. With another 4 Shramik Specials scheduled to depart later this evening and approx 5,000 passengers likely to return the tally of Shramik Specials will reach 175 and 2.50 Lakh passengers today.
SWR’s first Shramik Special of today left from Ashokappuram in Mysuru to New Jailpaiguri in West Bengal at 12.43 pm with 1520 passengers.
The second Shramik Special today left KSR Bengaluru to Dharbanga in Bihar at 2.55 pm with 1622 passengers.
The Third Shramik special of SWR for today left from Chikkabanavara in Bengaluru to Muzaffarpur at 5.15 pm with 1575 passengers.
SWR has run Shramik Specials from KSR Bengaluru, Bengaluru Cant., Chikkabanavara, Malur, Mysuru – Ashokapuram, Kabakaputtur, Hassan, Hubballi, Hosapete, Ballari, Koppal, and Hosur in Tamil Nadu as below;
Sl State No. of Trains
1 Bihar 58
2 Uttar Pradesh 44
3 Jharkhand 21
4 Odisha 9
5 West Bengal 10
6 Rajasthan 7
7 Madhya Pradesh 5
8 Tripura 4
9 Uttarakhand 3
10 Jammu & Kashmir 3
11 Assam 2
12 Manipur 2
13 Himachal Pradesh 1
14 Chhattisgarh 1
15 Kerala 1
16 Mizoram 1
Total 172
In association with NGOs, Railways is supplying three meals right at the boarding point.
1) Each food packet contains Ricebath, 4 chapati with pickle, 2 oranges, 2 one litre water bottles, 2 roti with sabji, 1 pack Ricebath, 1 kara bun, 1 sweet bun, sponsored Labour department associated with WIPRO Azim premji and Mercy mission.
2) Second pack, 200ml water bottles 4no, 2 Maza tetra packets, 2 buns, 4 pineapple, 4 laddu, 1 mixer packet sponsored by IITinas4India /United Sikhs
The passengers were very happy to be returning to their hometowns. They thanked the Railways and State Govt for arranging their return journey.
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 initiative 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 Govt. 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.
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 Bengaluru, and Hubballi. 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.
