Indian Railways to operate 2,600 Shramik special trains in 10 days

The decision is going to benefit around 36 lakh stranded migrants, Railway Board Chairman V K Yadav said.

Indian Railways will operate 2,600 Shramik Special trains in next 10 days to ferry migrant workers to their home states.

The railways has already operated 2,600 Shramik Special Trains since May 1. Around 36 lakhs stranded migrants have been transported till now to their home states, said Railway Board Chairman Vinod Kumar Yadav here on Saturday.

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The railways is ready to operate Shramik special trains as long as all migrants want to go home, he told reporters here.

Around 80 per cent Shramik Special trains have been received by Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, while West Bengal the lowest. Though West Bengal gave a list of over 100 trains, the state government requested a delay in its operation due to Amphan Cyclone in the state.

Once the state give its approval, the railways will resume Shramik Special trains.

Around 98 per cent tickets have been booked in Special AC trains started from May 12. The railway is closely monitoring the situation and if required, more trains will be operated on routes having highest demand.

To a question of removal of concession in tickets, he said all concession provided during pre-COVID period has been restored. However, senior citizen concession has not been reintroduced as these are special trains with special purposes, he said.

Meanwhile, the railways transported 9.7 million tonne of foodfrains between April 1 to May 22 and operated 3,255 parcel trains since March 22, he said.