New Delhi: The 'Shramik Special' trains, which ferry migrant labourers stranded at various states due to COVID-19 lockdown, will now run at full capacity, as per the modified guidelines of the Railway Ministry.
The ministry has decided to increase the capacity of these special trains from 1,200 to 1,700. According to the revised guidelines, the train capacity should be equal to the number of sleeper berths on the train.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, a railway official confirmed, "Yes, Railways has increased the capacity of Shramik Special Trains to 1,700. Now, passengers will also be allotted the top berth."
He assured that all the necessary precautions will be taken in these trains and the same advisory will be followed by the passengers on the trains. Screening of passengers will also be done at the railway stations before they board these trains.
The Ministry has also decided to have upto three stoppages in the destination state for these special trains.
The state government authorities have been asked to provide the list of three stoppages, excluding the terminating station.
Read: Have taken note of migrants walking on roads, rly tracks with great concern: Govt
Earlier today, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla also wrote a letter to all the state cheif secretaries, appealing them to give approval to the Shramik Special trains liberally, and cooperate with the railways in running more number of trains.
He also asked the states and union territories to make sure that no migrant workers resort to walking on roads or on railway tracks and should instead be facilitated to board the Shramik special trains or buses to their native places.
As per official data, the railways has operated 468 trains till May 11 from various parts of the country, ferrying more than 4.5 lakh stranded migrant workers to their home states.
