Shramik trains: Rly asks zones to watch out for sectarian feuds, troublemakers on board

New Delhi: Watch out for the possibility of sectarian feuds and troublemakers on board, and keep an eye on the behaviour of passengers – these are some of the guidelines issued to the zonal railways running 'Shramik Special' trains.

Having already run around 60 such trains since Friday, the Railways has now issued detailed guidelines on security and sanitisation protocols to be followed.

While the Railways has officially not stated how much it has spent so far on these services, which the government says has been shared on an 85:15 ratio with the states, officials indicated that for the first 34 trains, the national transporter spent Rs 34 crore, while the states spent Rs 3.5 crore.

The Railways, in its guidelines issued on Monday, has divided the protocols into three broad sections -- originating station, destination station and onboard the trains. It has also spoken on security arrangements that need to be made at all entry and exit points at the stations as well as on the trains.

"Enhanced presence of security personnel. The hiring of ex-servicemen, home guards, private security etc. Close interaction with intelligence agencies will be maintained to ascertain any possibilities of a sectarian feud or group conflict among the passengers. In the event of information about any such possibility, suitable precautions may be taken like the enhanced presence of security personnel at the origin, en route and destinations.

"Intensive watch on the behaviour of the passengers will be kept and any troublemakers identified and separated from the group. In the event of increased hostility, state police may be informed to intervene as soon as possible," the guidelines said.

The Railways also stated that sanitisation of trains has to be done both at the originating and the destination stations.

Liquid soap is to be made available and minimal staff for cleaning of toilets be accommodated onboard the trains, it said. 

The Railways, which is still dealing with allegations that it was charging the migrants for these trains, has so far ferried nearly 50,000 people in around 60 trains.

The national transporter is charging the fare of sleeper class tickets in mail/express trains, plus a super-fast charge of Rs 30 and an additional charge of Rs 20 for the Shramik Special trains.