India lockdown: First special train ferry's 1000 migrants from Telangana

Jharkhand : After 40 days of being in lockdown, first official special train on Friday morning departed from Telangana for Jharkhand, carrying more than 1000 migrant laborers.

The secret move was planned after a meeting between the Home and Railways ministries. Other special trains are also being planned. Although, there has been no official confirmation on more trains.

RD Bajpai, spokesman, Ministry of Railways said: "Today morning, a One-off special train was run from Lingampalli to Hatia on request of the State Government of Telangana and as per the directions of Ministry of Railways. All necessary precautions such prior screening of passengers, maintaining social distancing at the station and in the train were followed.

This is the only special train as off now, more trains will be planned in accordance to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Railways.

The 24-coach train of unreserved coaches will reach Hatia near Ranchi at 11 pm, according to the schedule prepared by Railways. The non-stop train will have only operational halt for crew changing and watering.

Ensuring social distancing measures, only 54 passengers have been boarded in one coach of the train. Railway Protection Force has been deployed to ensure proper social distancing measures. The coaches were sanitised before being rolled into the platform.

"Our men are on board. Everything is being arranged, like food, protective gear and social distancing," RPF DG Arun Kumar told The Indian Express.

This comes two days after the Centre issued guidelines where migrants have been allowed to make inter-state travel in the special buses.