ECoR handled over 636 Shramik Special trains since first week of May

Bhubaneswar: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) said more than three lakh workers, tourists and students were brought to their homes in Shramik Special trains under its jurisdiction.

In a statement, the ECoR said it has handled more than 636 Shramik Special trains from its jurisdiction from first week of May, 2020. Out of the above number of Shramik Special trains, the ECoR has received about 250 Shramik Special trains in its jurisdiction.

These inward trains to Odisha have been received from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi and Andhra Pradesh. More than 372 Shramik Special trains also passed safely through ECoR jurisdictions which were provided meals, water and other services at different stations in ECoR.

A total of 14 Shramik Special trains were sent from ECoR jurisdiction towards different places including one from Sambalpur, two from Bhubaneswar and rest from Visakhapatnam.

Operation of Shramik Special trains was started from May 1, 2020 to bring back migrant workers, tourists and students etc to their homes during lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic. Shramik Special trains were provided as and when demand was raised by the State Governments.

As per the directives of Supreme Court, bringing of migrant labourers to their homes by Shramik Special Trains was to be completed by June 24, 2020. In ECoR, this exercise is almost completed well within time, as currently there is very few demand for ECoR bound Shramik Special Trains in any State.

The Ministry of Railways has assured all the State Governments that Shramik Special trains shall be provided as and when demand is placed by them.

More than 12 Lakh free meals and drinking water bottles served in the Shramik Special trains by ECoR with the help of IRCTC.