New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today allowed the operating of special trains by the Railways for ferrying migrant workers, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different parts in the country amid the COVID-19 lockdown.
Railways will designate nodal officer(s) for coordinating with States and Union Territories (UTs) for the movement of these trains, the Home Ministry said.
“Movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons, stranded at different places, is also allowed by special trains to be operated by Ministry of Railways (MoR),” MHA said in its order signed by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla.
“MoR will issue detailed guidelines for sale of tickets; and for social distancing and other safety measures to be observed at train stations, train platforms and within the trains,” the order read.
The announcement comes just 2 days ahead of the ending of an extended nationwide lockdown. It also comes on a day when the first migrant labourers special train was operated from Lingampalli in Telangana to Hatia in Jharkhand with 1225 migrant labourers. The labourers were brought to the Railway station in 56 buses. The train left with RPF and GRP escort.
Considering a number of people stranded at various places in the country, the MHA on Wednesday issued fresh guidelines allowing stranded migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, and students to go home but with certain conditions.
