Home Ministry does away with permission from states to run Shramik special trains

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NEW DELHI: The Centre on Tuesday did away with the need for the states/union territories to permit movement of Shramik special trains to respective destinations and the Railways will now be permitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Revising the Standard Operating Procedures for such trains, the Ministry of Home Affairs said the move is to facilitate movement of stranded migrants in different states.

States/UTs have now been asked to designate nodal authorities to make necessary arrangements to send and receive such stranded persons, an official communication said.

The issue of permission by states became political when the Railways said certain state governments like West Bengal were not granting permission to run these trains, a charge contested by the state.

The revised procedure says based on requirements of states/UTs, the train schedule, including stoppages and destination, would be finalised by the Railways Ministry and communicated to the states/UTs to make suitable arrangements for sending and receiving stranded people.

Publicity of train schedules, protocols for entry and movement of passengers, services to be provided in coaches, and arrangements with states/UTs for booking of tickets will be done by the Railways.

Sending states/UTs and the railways would ensure all passengers are compulsorily screened and only asymptomatic passengers are allowed to board the train.

Social distancing would be observed by all passengers during boarding and travel and on arrival at their destination will have to adhere to health protocols prescribed by the destination state/UT, an official communication by Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said.