Eight Shramik Special trains from SWR ferry 11,695 Passengers to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar on 17.05.2020.
SWR on Sunday operated 8 more Shramik Special trains, 6 to Uttar Pradesh and 2 to Bihar upto 6.30 pm today. SWR has so far run 72 Shramik Specials for migrant workers, students and families to return to their home towns, in different parts of the country after relaxation of Lockdown in Karnataka. 4 more Shramik Specials are scheduled to leave from Karnataka to Bihar, Rajasthan, Jharkhand & Jammu & Kashmir later tonight.
The first three Shramik Special trains of SWR from Hubballi Division left by afternoon today.
The first train left from Ballari to Azamgarh in Bihar with 1452 passengers at 10.35 hrs. Hon’ble MP, Ballari visited Ballari Station and interacted with the Migrants leaving Ballari.
The second special train from Hubballi to Basti in Uttar Pradesh with 1446 passengers left at 12.25 hrs and the third Special left Hosapete to Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh) at 13.10 hrs with 1445 passenger. Arrangements food packets for the migrant workers leaving Hosapete for Azamgarh were arranged by a local NGO organization,Hosapete Jain Samaj through NRUCC/SWR member Shri Babulal Jain .
The fourth Shramik Special train and first from Mysuru left Ashokapuram to Gorakhpur at 14.10 hrs with 1392 passengers. The District Administration provided lunch for the migrants while the local Rotary Heritage Club is chipping in with light snacks. On more train from Mysuru Division is scheduled to leave Hassan to Katihar in Bihar later tonight.
The fifth Shramik special from Bengaluru left from Malur to Muzaffarpur in Bihar at 16.05 hrs with 1452 passengers on board.
The sixth Shramik special and 70th Shramik train of SWR left from Chikkabanavara to Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh at 16.30 hrs with 1520 passengers on board.
The seventh Shramik special and 71st Shramik train of SWR left from Malur to Bhagalpur in Bihar at 18.00 hrs with 1468 passengers on board.
The eight Shramik special and 72st Shramik train of SWR left from Chikkabanavara to Basti in Uttar Pradesh at 18.17 hrs with 1520 passengers on board.
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 11,695 citizens were made for them to return to their native place from Hubballi, Ballari, Hosapete, 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 any where. So far SWR has run 72 Shramik specials ferrying 98,419 citizens to their native place.
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 Ballari, Hubbali, Hosapete, 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
