3rd Shramik train chugs off from Ambala

Ambala, May 11

Shramik train with 1,188 migrants onboard chugged off to Bihar from here on Monday evening. This was the third special train that departed from here since Thursday. Earlier, two trains ferried over 2,500 migrants to Bhagalpur and Katihar in Bihar.

After medical screening, the passengers were allowed to board the train and were seated in 24 coaches while maintaining social distancing. Besides free travel, the migrants were also given food packets, water bottles, biscuits, sanitisers and face masks.

The train that left from platform number 3 here would reach Muzzafarpur via Saharanpur in 25 hours, said Northern Railways DCM Ritika Vashisht and Station Superintendent BS Gill. Deputy Commissioner Ashok Kumar Sharma, SP Abhishek Jorwal were also present at the spot.

Most of the migrants who boarded the train said they had left hope of returning to their homes. “We had faced turbulent times since the national lockdown was imposed,” said Bindu, Sona and Akhilesh, all migrabnts. Similarly, other passengers Jogi, Bechuras, Mukhdev and Lal Mahmood said they shall remain indebted to the state government and district administration for arranging their free and safe travel. — TNS