New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Home Affairs today issued revised Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for the movement of migrant workers by Shramik special trains, who are stranded at different places in the country due to lockdown.
According to the revised SOP order, the movement of Shramik special trains shall be permitted by the Ministry of Railways (MoR), in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
All states should designate nodal authorities to make necessary arrangements for receiving and sending such stranded persons, as per SOP.
The train schedule including stoppage and destination will be finalised by the Railways Ministry on the requirements as communicated by the states/UTs for making suitable arrangments.
The Railway Ministry will do publicity of train schedule, protocols for entry and movement of passengers, services to be provided in coaches, and arrangements with states and union territories for booking of tickets, it said.
The sending states and union territories and railways ministry would ensure that all passengers are compulsorily screened and only asymptomatic passengers are allowed to board the train.
Apart from that, during boarding and travel on trains, all passengers will have to observe social distancing. On arrival at their destination, the travelling passengers will have to adhere to such health protocols as are prescribed by the destination state and union territories, the SOP added.
