Lok Sabha Question No. 3599 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Deaths in Shramik Special Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Kunwar Danish Ali

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3599 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2021

## DEATHS IN SHRAMIK SPECIAL TRAINS

†3599.     KUNWAR DANISH ALI:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether almost 40 trains lost their route during the lockdown due to which the labourers took several days to reach their destination resulting in the labourers facing the problems of food and other difficulties;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether several cases of deaths of labourers in the Shramik Special trains have come to notice during the lockdown;
- (d) whether the Government has provided any financial assistance to the families of these labourers;
- (e)
- (f)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- if not, the reasons therefor ?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a)  to  (c)  No,  Sir.    No  Train  lost  its  route.  Shramik  Special  trains were  operated  w.e.f.  01.05.2020  to  enable  movement  of  migrant labourers and stranded passengers in terms of the guidelines issued by the Government.  These were 'trains on demand' and in all, 4621 Shramik  Express  trains  were  operated  between  01.05.2020  to 31.08.2020  carrying  63.19  lakh  passengers  to  their  respective States. Train operations on Indian Railways is done strictly as per instructions  contained  in  General  &  Subsidiary  Rules  and  the Operating  Manual.  No  train  "lost"  its  route  and  trains  reached  the exact destinations to which they were planned. Owing to congestion, a few trains were run on diverted alternate route in a planned  manner  via  alternative  non-congested  routes.    The  trains were  diverted  to  facilitate  faster  transit  and  create  staggered arrival at congested destinations. In order to meet the basic needs of travelling passengers in Shramik Water, depending  upon  the  requirements  based  on  journey  time,  were provided approximately  1.96  crore  meals  and  2.19  crore  packaged  drinking

Special trains, meals along with Packaged Drinking provided to the passengers. Indian Railways water bottles to passengers of Shramik Special Trains free of cost.

Policing  on  Railways  being  a  State  subject,  prevention  of  crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law & order  in  Railway  premises  as  well  as  on  running  trains  are  the statutory  responsibility  of  the  State  Governments,  which  they discharge through Government Railway Police (GRP)/District Police. Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of GRP/District  Police  to  provide  better  protection  and  security  of passenger area & passengers and for related matters.  Based on the data provided by State Police, 97 persons have been reported dead while  travelling  on  board  Shramik  Special  Trains  during  Covid-19

situation/crisis.  The State Police registers case under Section 174 of  Cr.  PC  in  cases  of  unnatural  deaths  and  follows  further  legal process. (d)  to  (f)  Railways  are  liable  for  payment  of  compensation  only  in case of death or injury of railway passengers in train accidents and untoward incidents as laid down in Section 124 and 124A read with Section 123 of Railways Act, 1989. Compensation is paid by the Railways only if a decree is passed by Railway  Claims  Tribunal  (RCT)  in  favour  of  the  victims  or  their dependents on the compensation claims application filed by them in a  RCT  bench.    Presently,  maximum  amount  of  compensation  is ` 8 Lakhs in case of death and ` 64,000 to 8 lakhs in case of injury, depending on the nature and type of injuries sustained. *****