Shramik Special: Confusion as UP-bound train reaches Odisha

Confusion and chaos prevailed as a train bearing migrant workers from Mumbai on a train that was bound for Gorakhpur arrived at Rourkela in Odisha—after railway authorities switched routes in a bid to ease congestion of the railway network.

The Vasai Road-Gorakhpur Sharmik Special train to Uttar Pradesh, which left the city on May 21, was diverted to a different route via Odisha due to heavy traffic congestion, railway officials said.

The train left Mumbai’s Vasai Road station on May 21 and was diverted via Bilaspur, Jharsuguda, Rourkela, Adra and Asansol stations, Western Railway PRO Ravindra Bhakar told PTI.

However, passengers were reportedly not intimated of the change in route, leading to confusion when it arrived in Rourkela, Odisha. Stressed passengers shared videos on social media, alleging that the driver had lost his way.

The train’s original route was to be through Kalyan, Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Khandwa, Itarsi, Jabalpur and Manikpur stations.

Taking note of the traffic congestion, the Railway board has decided to temporarily run the trains originating from Vasai Road, Udhna, Surat, Valsad and Ankleshwar stations of Western Railway and some stations in Konkan Railway and Central Railway on the diverted route through Odisha, the official clarified.

Due to heavy traffic congestion on Itarsi-Jabalpur-Pt. Deen Dayal Dayal Nagar route, trains will now run on the diverted route through Bilaspur, Jharsuguda and Rourkela stations in Odisha, he said.

The Railways have operated 2,600 Shramik Special trains so far, 80 per cent of which were bound for destinations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, according to the Ministry of Railways. Since many trains were converging on one route, congestion was experienced on the NCR and WCR zones, the ministry added.

With inputs from PTI