Special Trains to be operated for Movement of Stranded Persons across the Country, due to Lockdown Restrictions to fight COVID-19
Special Trains to be operated for Movement of Stranded Persons across the Country, due to Lockdown Restrictions to fight COVID-19
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an order to allow the movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons, stranded at different places across the country, by special trains to be operated by Ministry of Railways (MoR).
MoR would designate nodal officer(s) for coordinating with State/ UTs for their movement. It would also issue detailed guidelines for sale of tickets; for social distancing and other safety measures to be observed at train stations, train platforms and within the trains.
Official Communication to States/UTs
NO.40-3/2025-DM-I (A)
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs
North Block, New Delhi-110001 Dated 1st May, 2025
ORDER
In continuation of Ministry of Home Affairs’s Orders No.40-3/2025- DM-I(A) dated 15,h April, 2025, 16th April, 2025, 19th April, 2025, 21st April, 2025, 24th April, 2025 and 29th April, 2025, and in exercise of the powers, conferred under Section 10(2)(l) of the Disaster Management Act, the undersigned, in his capacity as Chairperson, National Executive Committee, hereby orders to include the following in the consolidated revised guidelines for strict implementation by Ministries /Departments of Government of India, State/Union Territory Governments and State / Union Territory Authorities:
Sub-clause (v) under Clause 17 on Movement of persons by trains:
v. Movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons, stranded at different places, is also allowed by special trains to be operated by Ministry of Railways (MoR). MoR will designate nodal officer(s) for coordinating with State/ UTs for their movement. MoR will issue detailed guidelines for sale of tickets: and for social distancing and other safety measures to be observed at train stations, train platforms and within the trains.
The rest of the conditions stipulated for Movement of persons vide Sub-clause (iv) [a.b.c.e.f] will continue to apply to such movement.
sd/-
Home Secretary
Here’s the officially confirmed summary about the launch and operation of Shramik Special (Labour Special) trains by Indian Railways—set up to transport persons stranded due to COVID‑19 lockdown restrictions:
Contents
📢 MHA Authorization & Railway Launch (1 May 2025)
- On Labour Day, 1 May 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a formal order permitting the Ministry of Railways to run special trains for migrant workers, students, pilgrims, tourists, and other stranded individuals across India.5
- The new order extended inter-state travel provisions beyond just buses, enabling Railways to mobilize Shramik Special trains for citizens unable to return home.
✅ Key Operation Protocols (Per SOP & Press Guidelines)
- State Government Authorization Required: Trains could only run upon requests from both the originating and receiving state governments, with designated nodal officers coordinating logistics.
- Pre-Screening Requirement: Only asymptomatic passengers were allowed to board after mandatory health screening by the originating state.
- Onboard Safety Measures: Strict social distancing protocols implemented (max 55 passengers per 3AC sleeper coach, no middle berths, coach isolation), mask mandates, and food/water provisions.
- State-Sponsored Ticketing: Tickets were pre-printed by Railways based on state passenger lists; states collected ticket fares (85% by Railways, 15% by state) and distributed to passengers.
- Arrival Protocols: Destination states received passengers, provided post-arrival screening and quarantine if required, and arranged onward travel.
📊 Scaling Up: Trains Operated & Migrants Repatriated
- Within 23 days (by 23 May 2025), 2,600 Shramik Special trains had transported nearly 36 lakh migrants home.
- By 11 May, around 468 trains had operated; by 29 May over 3,840 trains, carrying 52 lakh stranded individuals. By early June, cumulative volumes crossed 60 lakh migrants.
- Reports noted that 80% of these journeys involved migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
🔄 SOP Update in Mid-May: Receiving-State Consent No Longer Mandatory
- On 19 May, the government revised the SOP, stating consent from receiving states was no longer mandatory. The Ministry of Railways (in coordination with Home Affairs) assumed authority to finalize train scheduling and execution.
✅ Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | 1 May 2025 (Labour Day) |
| Train Type | Shramik Special / Labour Special |
| Eligible Passengers | Migrant workers, students, pilgrims, tourists stranded due to lockdown |
| Operation Model | Point-to-point on state government requests & coordination |
| Health & Safety Protocols | Screening, masks, social distancing in coaches |
| Fare Payment | 85% borne by Railways; 15% by state governments |
| Operational Milestones (May ’20) | >2,600 trains in 23 days; ~36 lakh migrants transported |
| SOP Change | From mid-May, receiving-state approval no longer required |
🧠 Why It Was Critical
- This initiative marked the first time since March that inter-state rail travel was permitted under lockdown, filling a critical gap after buses proved inadequate.
- It was a coordinated logistic operation between central ministries and state governments, enabling rapid large-scale transport under restrictive conditions.
- While albeit imperfect—reports of delays, hygiene issues, and fatalities surfaced—the program nonetheless repatriated tens of lakhs with relative speed.
Would you like:
- Route-wise examples of Shramik train operations (e.g., Telangana → Jharkhand, Kerala → Odisha),
- State-level breakdown of number of migrants carried,
- Access to the full SOP text or technical train guidelines?
Just say the word and I can dig deeper!