ASHOK NAGAR

प्रेस विज्ञप्ति/ Press Release No. 152  Dt: 28.06.2020

SWR CARRIES 3.76 LAKH PASSENGERS IN 256 SHRAMIK SPECIAL TRAINS

Starting with the first Shramik Special Train which chugged out from the SWR o­n 4^th May 2020, South Western Railway has run 256 trains transporting 3.76 Lakh migrant workers to their native places/destinations up to 27^th June 2020.  While, SWR carried the first o­ne Lakh passengers in 13 days, the 2 Lakh passengers were moved in just 6 days. 2.5 Lakh passengers were carried in just 7 days, 3.0 Lakh passengers in another 7 days and 3.5 Lakh passengers in 16 days.

248 trains carrying 3.63 Lakh passengers left from Karnataka and 8 trains carrying 12,718 passengers left from Hosur in Tamilnadu, to the different parts of the country.

  As and when State Govt. advised, SWR has arranged for Shramik Special trains to all parts of country for the migrant workers to reach their hometowns. The route and stoppages also were advised by State Govt.

SWR has run Shramik Specials from KSR Bengaluru, Bengaluru Cant., Chikkabanavara, Malur, Ashokapuram, Kabakaputtur, Hassan, Hubballi, Hosapete, Ballari, Koppal  and Hosur in Tamil Nadu state wise from 03.05.2020 to 27.06.2020 is as below;

Bengaluru Division has run lion's share of Shramik specials - 223 so far ferrying 3.28 Lakhs passengers.  Hubballi Division has run 21 Shramik Special carrying 30,580 passengers and Mysuru Division has run 12 Shramik Specials ferrying 16,974 passengers.

SWR is transporting passengers to their destination as per the demand of State Government with proper protocol under advise to   State Government to be  ready to accept them after screening etc,.  Initially these special trains were being run from point to point with no stoppages en-route. Later so as to accommodate many passengers with different destinations with same / enroute State, stoppages were given as advised by State Government. Karnataka State Govt. is arranging to bring passengers of Shramik Special trains to the stations through BMTC Buses as per the protocol, after due process of registration.

Care is being taken to ensure social distancing, wearing of masks and sanitizing of hands and making regular announcement to caution the passengers for prevention and spread of Covid-19 virus before departure from stations. Hand Sanitizer along with liquid soap has been provided in all coaches to protect against spread of Covid-19 Virus.  Railway is also ensuring complete sanitization of all coaches before boarding of special train by the passengers.

Special Trains are departing the Stations o­nly after all the passengers are medically examined by Government of Karnataka and issued medical certificate.  Thermal screening is again done by Railway Medical Teams at the stations.  None of the passengers were detected with high temperature.   The Railway Protection Force (RPF) team is escorting the trains and ensuring social distancing. Details of passengers, coach-wise with address and mobile Nos. have been obtained.  Details have been digitalized and stored for contact tracing in future, if required.

In association with NGOs, Railways is supplying  three meals  right at the  boarding point.

1) Each food packet contains Ricebath, 4 chapati with pickle, 2 oranges, 2 o­ne litre water bottles, 2 roti with sabji, 1 pack Ricebath, 1 kara bun, 1 sweet bun, sponsored Labour department associated with WIPRO Azim premji and Mercy mission.

2) Second pack, 200ml water bottles 4no, 2 Maza tetra packets, 2 buns, 4 pineapple, 4 laddu, 1 mixer packet sponsored by NGO

The operations of "Khushi " and " Put the Smile back"  launched by Bengaluru Division where toys are distributed to the children of the migrant workers have been widely appreciated by all quarters.

Shri A.K. Singh, General Manager said that Railway has  been actively engaged in Shramik special - with Mission of reuniting stranded people with their families , was a mammoth o­ne and given the level of complexity in view of prevailing pandemic conditions , it was extremely challenging. He appreciated Divisional teams for managing all train operations smoothly. Shri Singh told that in case of any further requirement of Shramik specials is received from State Govt., same will be arranged  within 12 -16 hours.

                                                                                           Chief Public Relations Officer

                                                                              South Western Railway, Hubballi

प्रेस विज्ञप्ति/ Press Release No. 143  Dt: 17.06.2020

SWR’S 240 SHRAMIK SPECIAL TRAINS CARRIES 3.50 LAKH PASSENGERS BACK HOME

Starting with the first Shramik Special Train being rolled out from the Zone o­n 3^rdMay 2020, South Western Railway has run 240 Shramik special trains carrying 3.50 lakh migrant workers to their native destinations. While, the Zone transported first o­ne lakh passengers in 13 days, the next o­ne lakh passengers were transported in just 6 days.  Shramik specials were run every day from 3^rd May 2020 till date except for two days o­n 6^th and 7^th May 2020.

Two trains are scheduled to leave from Bengaluru to Guwahati latter tonight. SWR is going all out to arrange for trains as per the demand of the state Govt. to all parts of country so that migrant workers can reach their hometowns. Shramik Special trains have been run from Karnataka to 17 states in the country.  The maximum number of trains were run towards Bihar i.e. 77 trains carrying 1.13 lakh passenger followed by 52 trains to Uttar Pradesh carrying 75,248 passengers.

SWR has run Shramik Specials from Bengaluru (KSR Bengaluru, Bengaluru Cant., Chikbanawar, Malur) Mysuru (Ashokapuram, Kabakaputtur, Hassan) Hubballi, Hubballi (Hosapete, Bellari, Koppal) and from Hosur in Tamil Nadu. Details of trains run so far are as below;

Bengaluru Division has run 207 Shramik Specials so far carrying 3.02 lakh passengers. Hubballi Division has run 21 Shramik Special carrying 30,580 passengers and Mysuru Division has run 12 Shramik Specials ferrying 16,974 passengers.

SWR is transporting passengers to their destination as per the demand of State Government with proper protocol and the receiving State Government is ready to accept them. These special trains are being run from point to point with no stoppages en-route. State Government is arranging to bring passengers of Shramik Special trains to the stations through BMTC Buses as per the protocol.   

Care is being taken to ensure social distancing, wearing of masks and sanitizing of hands and making regular announcement to caution the passengers for prevention and spread of Covid-19 virus before departure from stations. Hand Sanitizer along with liquid soap has been provided in all coaches to protect against spread of Covid-19 Virus.  Railway is also ensuring complete sanitization of all coaches before boarding of special train by the passengers.

Special Trains are departing the Stations o­nly after all the passengers are medically examined by Government of Karnataka and issued medical certificate.  Thermal screening is again done by Railway Medical Teams at the stations.  None of the passengers was detected with high temperature.   The Railway Protection Force (RPF) team is escorting the trains and ensuring social distancing. Details of passengers, coach-wise with address and mobile Nos. have been obtained.  Details have been digitalized and stored for contact tracing in future, if required.

                                                                                           Chief Public Relations Officer

                                                                              South Western Railway, Hubballi