To ensure that citizens can return to their home towns after relaxation of Lockdown in Karnataka, SWR on Thursday operated 6 more Shramik Special trains, one from Hubballi and the rest from Bengaluru area. SWR has so far run 46 Shramik Specials for migrant workers, students and families to return back to their home towns, in different parts of the country.
Two more Shramik Special specials are schedule to leave from Chikkabanavara to Udhampur (J&K) and Malur to Jasidih (Jharkhand) later tonight(14/5/2020)
The first Shramik Special train and first train from Hubballi Railway Station today with 1361 passengers left to for Jodhpur 12.20 hrs. This is the second train from Hubballi to Jodhpur. Passengers were waving out as the train rolled out from Hubballi.
The second Shramik Special train and first from Bengaluru today carrying 1,550 passengers from Chikkabanavara left for Muzaffarpur (Bihar) at 15.30 hrs. Passengers were happy to be returning to their hometown.
Two Shramik Special train left from Chikkabanavara for Gorakhpur carrying 1,520 and 1,440 passengers at 16.50 hrs and 18.35 hrs respectively. Passengers were happy to be returning to their hometown after relaxation in lockdown.
The fifth Shramik special from Malur to Katihar in Bihar left at 18.15 hrs with 1462 passengers on board. The passengers were happy and waving out to Railway official and security personnel as the train rolled out of Malur.
The sixth Shramik special from Chikkabanavara to Jiribam in Manipur with 1450 passengers on board left at 20.30 hrs.
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has 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 8783 citizens were made for them to return to their native place from Bengaluru and Hubballi.
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 back 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 Chikkabanavara, Malur and Hubballi Station. Hand sanitizer along with liquid soap has been provided in all coaches to protect and prevent 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.
