New Delhi: Indian Railways has decided to operationalise 2,600 more Shramik Special Trains in next 10 days across the country. This initiative is expected to benefit 36 lakh stranded passengers.
Addressing media, Railway Board Chairman, V K Yadav said that over 45 lakh people have returned to their native places since 1st of May, through the Shramik Special Trains.
“An average of 260 passenger trains were run in the last four days. There are plans to run 2,600 trains in the next 10 days and we will be able to take 36 lakh more people to their destinations,” Yadav said at a press conference.
He said that if they get any requirement from a state government authority, they were prepared to run trains within the state.
He mentioned that 5,000 coaches were converted into COVID-care centre and 50 per cent of these coaches have been used for Shramik special trains.
“We had converted 5,000 coaches into COVID care centres, with 80,000 beds. Since some of these were not being used right now, we used 50 per cent of these coaches for Shramik special trains. If needed, they will be used again for COVID care,” Yadav said.
Shramik special trains are being run from point to point on the request of both the concerned State Governments.
Mr. Yadav also informed that the Railways will further make arrangements for more of such trains as and when requests are received from the State and district authorities.
