South Western Railway (SWR) today operated Four Shramik Specials trains.
Two trains left Chikbanawar (In Bengaluru) to Lucknow. First train departed at 16.25 hrs and the second at 18.00 hrs. each train carried 1,200 passengers.
The third Shramik Special left from Malur (In Bengaluru Division) to Danapur with 1200 passengers and 7 children at 17.45 hrs.
Fourth Shramik Special is expected to leave for Hatia by 22.00 hrs.
SWR has Run eleven Shramik Specials based on demand of State Govt for citizens to return to their home towns after the Lockdown due to Covid-19 Pandemic.
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, South Western Railway today ferried approximately 3,600 passengers to their destinations at UP and Bihar.
State Government had arranged to bring these passengers to the stations through BMTC Buses as per the protocol. SWR is transporting passengers to their destination only when there is a demand from the 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.
Care was taken to ensure social distancing, wearing of masks and sanitizing of hands when boarding and inside the trains before departure from Chikbanawar and Malur Station.
Trains departed the Stations only after all the passengers were medically examined by Government of Karnataka and issued medical certificate. Thermal screening was again done by Railway Medical Teams at the stations. None of the passengers was detected with high temperature.
Local NGOs extended support to provide lunch packets, biscuits, water bottles, fruits etc. En-route meals are being provided by State Government.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) team is escorting the trains. 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.
In this connection, Railways reiterate that all running of Passenger trains stand cancelled till further advise. The Shramik Specials are being run from point to point only on the request of the State Government. Anyone who has to travel should contact the State Govt. only and No tickets are being issued at Railway Stations over SWR.
