Ministry of Railways to fix stoppages and destinations of Shramik Special trains

Union Home Ministry has issued revised Standard Operating Procedure, SOP for the movement of stranded workers by train. It has asked states and Union territories to coordinate with Railways to ferry stranded migrant workers to their homes.

According to the SOP, movement of Shramik Special trains shall be permitted by Ministry of Railways in consultation with Home Ministry. All States and UTs should designate nodal authorities and make necessary arrangements for receiving and sending such trains.

The train schedules including stoppages and destinations will be finalized by the Railway Ministry based on the requirement of



States and UTs. After finalizing, Railways will communicate to states for making suitable arrangements for sending and receiving such stranded people. The SOP said that sending States and Union Territories and Railways will ensure that all passengers are  screened and only asymptomatic passengers are allowed to board the train. 

During boarding and travel, all passengers will have to observe social distancing. On arrival to their destination, the travelling passengers will have to adhere to the protocols prescribed by the destination States and Union Territories.stranded persons.