Goa group demands efficient running of Shramik Express trains transporting migrant workers back to their home States

Panaji
May 24- The Goa People’s Voices: COVID19 Response,a civil society group on Sunday wrote to :

The Indian Railways,

Government of India

care@irctc.co.in

2) Mr. Kunal, IAS, Nodal Officer,

Coordination for Movement of Migrants,

Government of Goa

covid-nodal.goa@nic.in

3) Minister of Civil Aviation,

Government of India

hm.moca@nic.in

 Sub.: Immediate Action Needed For Efficient Running of Shramik Express Trains 

We write to you with serious concern about the manner in which the migrant workers are being transported to their home state via the Indian Railways. We are aware that this is a large scale operation during a pandemic, but this does not take away from the State obligation to treat migrant workers as human beings wherever they may be from, and whatever work they may be doing.

This must get as much attention by way of precise planning and by way of respecting sensitivities as any other State obligation during the lockdown. It also entails coordination, so that arbitrary practices are eliminated.

In particular, we have noted the following:

(1) FOOD AT THE STATION/START OF THE JOURNEY: There have been some reports of food being provided way before the scheduled time of the commencement of the train journey. Hence by the time the train starts, it is already time for the next meal.

(2) DRINKING WATER: Drinking water is a critical requirement. This is not catered to adequately either before the start of the train and also in the train, and along the journey.

(3) AVAILABILITY OF WATER IN THE WASHROOM: Water in the washrooms is a dire necessity. It is chaotic if there is no water in any coaches of the train, as has been the case. This, ironically, when WHO Guidelines mandate constant washing of hands with soap and water.

(4) CLEAR INFORMATION REQUIRED AT ALL LEVELS: There is no clear information about departures of trains. Social media like Facebook and Twitter are not necessarily the media through which the migrant workers can be communicated to, and that too if the messaging is mostly in English and not the vernacular languages.

(5) CHAOS AT/OUTSIDE THE BOARDING POINT: Serpentine lines are seen outside Madgaon and Karmali stations. First come first serve basis, has created confusion, rush and unnecessary chaos.

(6) NO CLARITY OF ROUTES AND HALTS: To start with, train numbers are not provided on tickets. Similarly there is no clear information about train halts on the way. Consequently, the journeys are difficult to track. The train halts are arbitrary and unplanned. Not even the stations have full details in advance of any of these special trains. Planning of stoppage is mostly happening locally and might not follow the original list of scheduled stoppages. This does create confusion and does not enable proper planning. In fact even as currently is the case where food is provided through social initiatives, this provisioning is not possible because of clarity of routes and halts. As of now, NGOs who are providing food should have permission to go to the platform.

(7) NO VENDORS AT STATIONS: There are no vendors at stations who passengers can buy food from. To start with, why not restore the existing vendors at the railway station, or organize local vendors to sell food at the railway stations of Madgaon and Karmali? This will go some way both towards easing the difficulties of the migrant workers as well as towards livelihoods and economic revival.

 (8) POLICE ABUSE: To add to the distress of the people hoping to travel,  some of those waiting for the trains have had to face harsh verbal abuse by the police staff on duty at Karmali station, and perhaps elsewhere too.

Hence our appeal as follows:

A) to the Goa Government, that is, those things the State Government is responsible for at commencement point:

(1) Information on train timings to the migrants along with reporting time, to be given in the confirmed message/sms.

(2) Train numbers and route to be shared in the sms.

(3) Along with the confirmation sms, passengers should be provided with a token number as this would help to ease out the long queues and confusion. Also, token number 1-1600/no. of seats in the train to be entertained first and then lines can be opened for all.

(4) Where Madgaon or Karmali are stops for the trains coming from somewhere else, then ensure that there is food available on the platform for passengers coming from somewhere else.

(5) Provide food and water as people reach Madgaon/Karmali. Most travel 2-3 hours by local bus with last minute sms leaving no time to prepare food for the journey

(6) Arrangement of water to be given every few hours when people are standing in line.

(7) At least 100 volunteers per train to give information to people who are standing in the line for the train.

(8) Print and paste at multiple (at least 20) strategic locations: Train timings, train numbers, route and confirmed passenger list, so that people can avail information on their own

(9) Existing Railway helpline number 139 should be provided before the commencement of the journey

(10) Arrangement for Special Direct Bus from strategic locations like Mapusa, Pernem to Margao and Karmali on days of trains commencement

(11) The government must give clear guidelines to the police and other staff that those travelling must be treated with respect and compassion. Strict action must be taken against abusers.

 (B) to the Indian Railways:

(1) Food on the way - Ensure 3 meals per day to all passengers in all Shramik Express

Trains. Vendors MUST also be allowed on the platforms so they have their livelihood - either to sell food or to distribute the food (in case of the latter, the Government must pay). Please note vendors are NOT recommended for replacing state/railways supplying food, but in addition.

(2) Drinking water must be provided for in the train and freely distributed. Everyday at least 3

litres per person

(3) Adequate Water Supply in Toilets all throughout the journey.

(4) Ensure 139, the Railway Helpline number is functional to receive any complaints/queries/reporting from the running trains

We request you to remedy the above at the earliest. We repeat that we are fully aware that we have a pandemic situation, but that does not mean that migrant workers can become dispensables or casualties in this pandemic.

Finally, it is a matter of grave concern that the railways are taking such a long time to reach the migrant workers home, with people now waiting for weeks in Goa, in desperate circumstances and dependent on charity. Hence, since it has been announced that domestic flights will be starting from May 25, we demand that the government use this facility as well to reach workers home, without any charges. We also request the Aviation Ministry to make all necessary arrangements for the same.

 We hope that these urgent and humanitarian demands will be taken in the right spirit and be met immediately.

Yours sincerely,

The petition is signed by 

1. Amrita Sunita Anand 
2. Albertina Almeida 
3. Amita Kanekar 
4. Devsurabhee Yaduvanshi & 147 others.