New Delhi: "Railways has planned to operationalize 2600 Shramik Special trains in the next 10 days, expecting to transport around 36 lakh migrants across the country," informed Chairman Railway Board, VK Yadav at a press conference on Saturday.
He stated that the states are requested to put forth their needs on ferrying migrant labourers for these trains amid coronavirus induced nationwide lockdown.
Yadav mentioned that these trains have been operating since May 1, reaching to an average of 260 trains on a daily basis for last 4 days, in which more than 45 lakh migrants have travelled. A number of Shramik Special Trains are also being operationalized within the states, which have transported around 10 lakh passengers.
He further added that 80% of these trains are directed towards Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. "As there is more demand for trains to UP and Bihar, we are facing an issue of congestion. To deal with it, we have also diverted some trains to another route," said CRB.
This statement came in the wake of a recent incident, when a train from Maharashtra was diverted to Rourkela, in Odisha, which was bound to go to Gorakhpur, in UP.
He clarified that 85% cost of these Shramik Special Trains is being borne by Center, while the rest of the 15% is being paid by states.
"In a few cases, in the beginning, state governments reimbursed the cost to migrants later, after they reached their destination states. All migrants will reach their destination as quickly as possible. Shramik Special trains will continue to run until there is a need for it. If we get a requirement from any state government authority, we are also ready to run these trains within the state," said Yadav.
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When asked about the allegations made by Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal for not getting any cooperation from West Bengal and the letter written by Chief Secretary of the state to cancel movement of trains till May 26, Chairman Railway Board said, "It is true that a less number of trains run to West Bengal. We have got a request for 105 trains from the state government, to run till June 15."
He added, "The state Chief Secretary has also written a letter to me regarding the movement of trains as restoration work is going on in the state. Cyclone was a natural calamity. They'll tell us soon when they'll be able to receive trains. As soon as they give us clearance, we'll run trains to West Bengal.
Yadav also informed that 50% of the isolation coaches, prepared by Railways, are now being used for Shramik Special Trains. "We had converted 5,000 coaches into COVID-19 Care Centres, with 80,000 beds. Since some of these are not being used right now, we use 50% of these coaches for Shramik Special Trains. If needed, they will be used again for COVID-19 Care Centres," he said.
