Shramik Specials demand dwindles

NEW DELHI: The demand of Shramik Special trains has dwindled in past few days and on Sunday only two such trains originated till 9.30 am and a total of about 40 trains were planned during the day, indicating now states may have less number of registered

migrant workers

who need to be transported.


The exact number of these trains on till Sunday evening was not available.


Though railway sources maintained that the operation of these trains to transport stranded migrants would continue till there is demand from states, they said there has been a sharp decline. There are indications of few Shramik Specials starting their journey on Monday when the national transporter starts nearly 200 special express/ mail trains.

According to the earlier trend, nearly 10% of the Shramik Specials originated from their sources by 8 am.

Official data show that after touching the peak of running 279 such trains on May 20, their numbers had been declining except on May 26 when it touched 255. There has been consistent fall in their numbers since then. Railway Board chairman V K Yadav had earlier told reporters that while on May 27, railways flagged off 172 such trains, the next day it had reduced to 137.

TOI has learnt that only 101 trains each started from their originating stations on Friday and Saturday.

Yadav had written to states on Friday asking them to inform the railways about projected number of Shramik Special trains required to ferry stranded migrants and the tentative schedule for movement of these trains. Referring to the interim order of Supreme Court on Thursday, Yadav has said they need to inform the apex court about the estimated time period and the plan for transportation of all stranded workers. The states were asked to provide details by Saturday.