Transported 60 Lakh Migrants, Recovered Only 15% Operational Cost: Railways

New Delhi: Amid claims and counter-claims made by the Centre and states over migrants, Indian Railways said on Monday that it had recovered only 15 per cent of operational cost having transported 60 lakh workers home during the coronacirus-induced lockdown since May 1 through Shramik Special trains.

“The average fare of Shramik Special trains is Rs 600 per passenger. One has to keep in mind that these are normal fares and not fares for special trains which are higher. We carried 60 lakh passengers, so the revenue can be calculated. We however, managed to recover only 15 per cent of cost of operations,” said Railway Board Chairman VK Yadav.

“A very few of the migrants are now left to be sent back. We are coordinating with state governments to take them home as well,” he added.

Yadav reiterated that the cost of operating the Shramik Specials was being shared by the Centre and states in a 85-15 per cent formula.

Officials said that 204 COVID isolation coaches had been deployed in four states, including 54 in Delhi.

The Railways have written to other states to give their requisitions as to the number of isolation coaches they need.

“Railways will provide separate coaches for suspected and confirmed COVID patients, all of which will be under the care of the chief medical officer of the state,” he said.

“In areas where the temperature is very high, roof insulation can be provided to bring down the temperature inside the coaches,” Yadav said.