Railways ready to run Shramik trains from all districts connected by train network: Piyush Goyal

New Delhi: Indian Railways is willing to run Shramik Special trains being operated to transport stranded migrants back to their home States, from all the districts connected by Railways in the country, the railway ministry said on Saturday.

“To provide relief to migrant labour, Indian Railways is ready to run "Shramik Special" trains from any District in the Country,” Railway minister Piyush Goyal said in a tweet.

“District Collectors should prepare lists of stranded labour and destination and apply to Railways through the State nodal officer.” Goyal said.


The national transporter began operating Shramik special trains May 1st onwards, and as of Saturday, more than 15 lakh migrants have already been transported by the Railways to their home states and almost 1150 Shramik Special trains have been operationalised.

Indian Railways has got the capacity to run almost 300 Shramik special trains a day, however, less than half are being presently utilised, a statement from the railway ministry said.

“Indian Railways is ready to augment the running of Shramik special trains as per the actual needs of the districts,” it said.

Once the information about migrants wishing to go back to their home states is made available from each district, then Indian Railways can take further action to help operationalise the trains, the ministry said.