Railways issues guidelines to operate Shramik trains, clarifies on tickets distribution

The Indian Railways on Sunday issued guidelines for Shramik trains that are operating for movement of stranded migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, and students stuck due to Covid lockdown. It states that local and state government authorities will act as a link and co-ordinate between passengers and Railways in the distribution of tickets. It says that the Shramik trains are non-stop trains bound for a single destination. It has clearly mentioned that all the people will be screened in the state from where they will board the train, and only if they are asymptomatic, they will be allowed to travel. 

Here are the points specified in the guidelines:

• The Shramik special trains should have at least 90 per cent occupancy to operate.

• The local state government authority shall handover tickets of such trains to passengers cleared by them and collect the ticket fare and hand over the total amount to Railways.

• It also said that the originating state will provide adequate security at the designated station to ensure that only those passengers, who have been cleared by state government to travel and have valid train ticket for journey, should enter station premises.

• Railways shall print train tickets to the specified destination, as per number of passengers indicated by originating state and hand them over to the local state government authority, it said.

• The state government shall issue food packets and drinking water at the originating points, it said.

• It will be mandatory for all passengers to wear face cover. The state authorities shall advise the passengers to use mask/ face covers.

• The originating state will encourage all passengers to download and use Aarogya Setu App.

• For trains with long journey beyond 12 hours, one meal will be provided by the railways.

• On arrival at their destination, the passengers will be received by state government authorities, who would make all arrangements for their screening quarantine, if necessary, and further travel. The receiving state will make adequate security arrangements at the railway station. 

Here is the full guideline document:

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On Saturday, the railways issued a clarification that tickets will not be issued to any individual. Issuing an advisory on Saturday, it has said that no one under any circumstances should come to railway stations looking for trains as no requests will be entertained, adding that those who want to travel should contact state governments. It has also said that regular passenger train services are cancelled till May 17.

READ | Ministry of Railways issues clarification on Shramik special and regular train services

MHA Permits Movement Of Stranded Persons 

This comes after several Chief Ministers had urged the Home Ministry to ply special trains to facilitate the movement of migrants considering the long-distance and a large number of individuals stranded.  In the notice issued by the Home Ministry on Friday, it has stated that the Ministry of Railways will designate nodal officers for coordinating with states and Union Territories for the movement of stranded persons. It has also informed that the MoR will issue detailed guidelines for sale of tickets, and for social distancing and other measures to be observed at train stations, train platforms and within the trains. 

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