GIRIDIH

WR Press Release No. 2020/06Mumbai, 9^thJune, 2020

18.32 LAKH MIGRANT LABOURERS AND THEIR FAMILIES LEFT FOR THEIR HOME TOWNS IN WESTERN RLY’S 1219 SHRAMIK SPECIAL TRAINS

Western Railwayhas operated 1219SHRAMIK SPLtrains from 2^ndMay, 2020 to 8^thJune, 2020, which have carried approx.. 18.32 lakh migrant labourers & their families to their desired destinations. Lakhs of migrant workers and their families have been benefitted by the Indian Railway's decision to run such Shramik Special trains. Shramik specials were operated by various zonal railways, which left from different stations of the country to carry the migrant workers to their home towns.

According to a press release issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar - Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, out of the 1219 Shramik special trains, maximumtrains were bound for Uttar Pradesh followed by Bihar. The special Shramik trains were also operatedto states ofOrissa, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan,Uttarakhand, West Bengal,Gujarat, Manipur, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Maharashtra. Approx. 18.32 lakh passengers have been ferried by Western Rly totheir home towns in different states of the country from 2^ndMay, 2020 to 8^thJune, 2020. Shri Bhakar stated that these Shramik Special trains have helped in facilitating faster movement of stranded labourers and their families to their native places. o­n 8^th June, 2020, 2 Shramik special trains left from Bandra Terminus of Mumbai suburban section. o­ne train left for Giridih in Jharkhand and another departed for Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh. From 3^rd May to 8^th June, 2020, a total of 183 Shramik Special Trains have originated from Mumbai Suburban Section, including 67 Shramik special trains from Bandra Terminus, 71 from Borivali, 31 from Vasai Road, 2 from Dahanu Road and 12 from Palghar station. These trains were departed for Gorakhpur, Jaunpur , Gonda , Varanasi, Pratapgarh, Bhagalpur, Prayagraj, Darbhanga, Danapur, Howrah etc. Out of these 1219 trains, Mumbai division has handled highest 708 trains, Ahmedabad division 258, Vadodara division 100, Bhavnagar division 30, Rajkot division 117 and Ratlam division 6 Shramik trains.These special trains are being operated by maintaining social distancing norms, as well as proper thermal screening of passengers, is also being ensured before boarding the train. During the journey, passengers are also being given free meals and packaged drinking water.

TRANSPORTATION OFESSENTIALS

Shri Bhakar stated that since 22^nd March till 8^th June, 2020, total 5807 rakes of goods trains have been used by WR to supply essential commodities amounting to 11.49 million tonnes. 11,440 freight trains have been interchanged with other zonal railways, in which 5,757 trains were handed over and 5,683 trains taken over at different interchange points.  321 Millennium Parcel rakes of Parcel Vans/ Railway Milk Tankers (RMTs) have been sent to different parts of the country to supply as per the demands of essential items such as milk powder, liquid milk and other general consumer goods.

It is worth mentioning, that during the lockdown period, since 23^rd March to 8^th June, 2020, commodities weighing approx 53thousand tonnes have been transported by Western Rly through its 320 parcel special trains, which included agricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk etc.The earnings generated through this transportation, has been approx Rs 16.84 crore. During this period, forty milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of more than 29 thousand tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons, generating revenue of approx Rs 5.10 crore. Similarly, 275Covid-19 special parcel trains with a load of more than 20 thousand tonnes were also run to transport essential commodities, for which the revenue earned was Rs 10.67 crore. In addition to this, 5 indented rakes carrying 2378 tonnes were also run with 100% utilization generating revenue of more than Rs 1.07 crore.

LOSS & REFUND UPDATE OF WR

Shri Bhakar said that the total loss of earnings over Western Railway o­n account of Corona Virus lockdown, has been over Rs 1233 crore, which includes Rs 175.23 crore for suburban section and Rs 1058.01 crore for non-suburban.Inspite of this, resulting to cancellation of tickets till now, Western Railway has ensured to return refund amount ofRs. 321.96 crore. It's worth mentioning that in this refund amount, Mumbai division alone, has ensured refund of Rs 150.27 crore. Till now, 49.33 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over entire Western Railway & have received their refund amount accordingly.

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