SWR on Wednesday ran its 100th train Shramik Special Trains carrying 1,40,473 passengers mostly migrant workers, students and families to their home towns in different parts of the country. Today 20.05.2020, SWR operated 7 more Shramik Special trains, two from Hubballi to Madhubani and Samastipur in Bihar and 3 from Bengaluru to Bihar, one each to West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh upto 7.00 pm. 8 more Shramik trains are slated to run later this evening with 3 to Uttar Pradesh, 2 more to Bihar and one each to Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Rajasthan.
The first Shramik Special train of SWR started from 03.05.2020 and except for 6.5.2020 and 07.05.2020, special trains are being run daily. Bengaluru Division has run 88 Shramik Special trains followed by Hubballi Division with 10 and Mysuru Division with 4.
SWR’s fist two Shramik Specials today left from Bengaluru Cant. to New Jalpaiguri at 00.20 hrs with 1200 passengers followed by special train from KSR Bengaluru to Bettaia in Bihar at 01.27 hrs with 1526 passengers.
Today’s third Shramik special of SWR today left from Hubballi to Madhubani (Bihar) at 12.00 pm with 1564 passengers.
The fourth Shramik special left from Bengaluru Cant. to Dharbanga at 14.47 hrs with 1530 passenger and 26 children.
The fifth Shramik special and 100th Special train from SWR left Hubballi for Samastipur in Bihar with 1541 passengers at 16.40 passengers. One more train to Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh is scheduled later tonight from Hubballi.
The sixth Shramik special left from Bengaluru Cant. to Purnia in Bihar at 16.40 hrs with 1515 passenger.
The seventh Shramik special left from Bengaluru Cant. to Gwalior at 17.50 hrs with 1541 passenger.
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, assured the 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 10,417 citizens were made for them to return to their native place from Hubballi and Bengaluru.
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, Chikbanawar, 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.
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.
