Govt announces inter-state trains for stranded people: Key points

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | May 1, 2020, 17:34 IST

NEW DELHI: The government on Friday started new train services for people who are stuck in various states amidst the coronavirus-induced lockdown. Designated as Shramik Specials, these trains will help ferry migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other people who have been unable to go back to their homes due to the lockdown.
Here is a look at the government's announcement on the launch of these trains —

Movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places, is also allowed by special trains to be operated by the ministry of railways.
The ministry will designate nodal officer(s) for coordinating with state/UTs for their movement.
As per the standard operating procedure, state governments decide the persons who will be allowed the travel and railways give bulk tickets to the state nodal officers.
The persons identified are transported to designated stations and will be provided with masks and sanitizers.
Packed food will also be provided before boarding the train.
They are transported only by non-AC coaches, primarily sleeper class trains. In each segment of a coach, six passengers are accommodated while there is provision for eight seats.
Special trains transporting migrant workers have been designated as "Shramik Specials".
All workers would be screened at departure points and allowed to proceed if found asymptomatic.
On arrival at their destination, such persons would be assessed by the local authorities, and kept in home quarantine, unless the assessment requires keeping the persons in institutional quarantine.
They would be kept under watch with periodic health check-ups.
For this purpose, such persons may be encouraged to use Aarogya Setu app through which their health status can be monitored and tracked.