New Delhi: After facing an outrage about the alleged ill-preparedness in the national transporter over the number of deaths occurred in Shramik Special Trains or at Railway Stations, Railway Ministry is gathering data from various states regarding the matter.
"However, the doctors will tell whether the death occurred due to hunger or any disease," informed Railway Board Chairman, Vinod Kumar Yadav, on Friday.
While addressing a press conference, Yadav said, "In this difficult phase, Railways is trying it's best. As many as 12 lakh Railway employees are engaged in this hour of need to ensure that every migrant labourer reaches their homes."
VK Yadav informed that the originating states are providing food to the migrant labourers before they board the train, while enroute meals are being given by Railways or any NGOs. He also said that the incidents of migrants getting into a scuffle for food have happened "only in 2-3% of these trains".
Earlier, the Railways insisted that the deaths occurred on these trains were "coincidental" and all of them have had histories of medical illness. "Few deaths have been reported in Shramik Special Trains. In most of these cases, it is discovered that those who died are old sick people and chronic disease patients, who had actually gone to big cities for medical treatment and could come back only after Railways started these Shramik Special Trains," said a Railway official, on Wednesday.
Yadav said that the data on deaths in Shramik Special Trains is still being compiled and the government was ascertaining the reason behind these deaths. "States are investigating about the reasons behind these deaths. It would be insensitive to say, without an investigation, that these deaths were on account of hunger," he added.
On Friday, Railways also released an advisory for the passengers travelling in Shramik Special trains, asking "vulnerable" people with co-morbidities (like hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer etc.), pregnant women, children below the age of 10 years and persons above 65 years of age, to avoid rail travel, except when it is essential.
"As soon as we get to know about any ill passenger, we try to give him/her best treatment. Around 30 children were born during these train journeys. They were shifted to the nearest hospitals so that doctors can attend and give treatment to both mother and child," said the Yadav.
He also clarified that the migrant labourers don't have to pay for their tickets as the share of 85:15 ratio of the fare between Railways and the state still holds true.
Yadav said that till May 28, a total number of 3,840 Shramik Special trains have been operated, which have ferried around 52 lakh passengers. 1,524 trains have been operated in last one week, ferrying over 20 lakh passengers.
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