The Ministry of Railways on Wednesday said that over 3,500 Shramik special trains have ran so far since 1 May, 2020 in order to ensure safe movement of migrant workers during nationwide lockdown, which was imposed on 25 March in order to combat the novel coronavirus in the country.
These trains have so far ferried more than 48 lakh passengers to their hometowns, the ministry said. Out of these passengers, "nearly 80% of total Shramik trains are destined for various destinations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar," it added.
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has distributed over 74 lakh free meals and more than 1 crore water bottles to travelling migrants so far. "Over and above inter-state movement, the railways has been