In an effort to address the challenges faced by migrant laborers, Indian Railways is set to launch dedicated trains catering to their needs.
Many laborers travel from Bareilly Junction in Northern Railway (NR) to various major cities, including Delhi, Punjab, Jaipur, Haryana, Kashmir, Himachal, Mumbai, Bhopal, Gandhinagar, and Surat.
However, finding a place on trains has been difficult due to the high demand, and the prohibitive fares of superfast and AC coaches have remained out of reach for them.
To alleviate these concerns, the Indian Railways has taken a significant step.
They are planning to operate special trains exclusively for migrant laborers originating from Bareilly, Moradabad, Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, and Prayagraj railway stations.
Officials from Northern Railway gathered data on laborer travel patterns from Bareilly Junction’s operational and commercial departments.
The majority of laborers were found to be headed to cities like Delhi, Punjab, Himachal, Jaipur, Mumbai, and Gujarat.
In response, it has been decided to introduce dedicated train services from Bareilly to Delhi, Punjab, and Mumbai.
The Railway authorities are gearing up to launch both AC and non-superfast trains on key routes within the state, primarily serving the districts of Rohilkhand, including Bareilly, Pilibhit, Badaun, and Lakhimpur Kheri.
This expansion is expected to take place after the Diwali festival. The Railways have requested route plans from concerned officers to facilitate this expansion.
One major benefit of these new migrant laborer special trains is the affordability of tickets.
By introducing these services, both laborers and the general public will experience much-needed relief from the financial burdens associated with train travel.
Responding to the issue of expensive tickets, the Railways’ approach involves offering superfast train services at lower fares.
This initiative signifies a departure from the past when special trains were only operational during festive seasons.
The new Railway Pravasi Mazdoor Special Train will be in service year-round, providing consistent support to migrant laborers.
Anticipating a high demand, these special trains are set to feature 22 to 26 coaches.
This expansion will be incorporated into the regular timetable, allowing passengers to make advance reservations with greater convenience.
