Indian Railways runs special train for stranded migrants from Telangana to Jharkhand
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Hyderabad, May 1: Bringing a sigh of relief for migrant workers, Indian Railways on Friday ran its first special train to ferry 1,200 stranded migrants from Lingampally in Telangana to Hatia in Jharkhand. This was the first train to ferry migrants amid nationwide lockdown, said the Railway Ministry.
According to a statement issued by the Indian Railways, this special train will ferry nearly 1,200 stranded migrants from Lingampally in Telangana to Hatia in Jharkhand. This would be the first train to run since the lockdown began. The 24 coach train started which started its journey at 4:50 am today will arrive at Hatia in Jharkhand at 11 pm tonight.
राज्य सरकार के अथक प्रयासों के बाद आज झारखण्ड के श्रमिक भाई-बहन तेलंगाना से पहली ट्रेन से आ रहे हैं। इस मदद के लिए केंद्र एवं तेलंगाना सरकार का बहुत - बहुत आभार।
— Rabindra Nath Mahato। Speaker - Jharkhand Assembly (@Rabindranathji) May 1, 2020
South Central Railway chief spokesperson Ch Rakesh said “Today morning, a One-off special train was run from Lingampalli to Hatia on request of the State Government of Telangana and as per the directions of Ministry of Railways. All necessary precautions such prior screening of passengers, maintaining social distancing at the station and in the train were followed.’
‘’This was only a One-off Special train* and any further trains shall be planned only as per the directions of Ministry of Railways and on request from both the Originating and Destination State Governments,’’ it added.
Earlier today Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren tweeted to confirm the center had accepted his request to run a special train to return people to the state, saying: "The central government accepted our demand to bring back workers. We immediately started work to bring them back safely".
Meanwhile, the railways have suspended the passenger, mail, and express train services in a bid to combat the spread of COVID-19.
This move comes to ferry stranded workers comes after the Centre’s orders regarding the movement of migrant laborers amid the lockdown. Moreover, the Centre on Wednesday hinted that the ongoing nationwide lockdown is likely to be extended beyond May 3 but many districts will "considerable relaxations" from restrictions.