Margao: 728 persons, who are natives of Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have left for their native places on a special Shramik train from Margao Railway Station.
The train left from Margao railway station after 8 pm with all the passengers applauding all the officials and staff of various departments who have been working hard for the entire day since 6 am, since their assembly at Fatorda Statdium and till their departure.
The passengers were based in Goa in various forms of employment and self business and wanted to return home. Eight persons who were ferried into Goa from Belgaum also embarked on to the train from Margao railway station. The District Collector Ajit Roy, IAS, Superintendent of Police Arivnd Gawas, IPS, Konkan Railway Officers and Staff along with the staff of the Collectorate of South Goa were on the job from early morning to ensure that the entire exercise went off successfully.
“The train will be going till J&K to the Uddhampur station. There are 31 persons who are from Ladakh and the Administration of the UT has arranged for buses for their travel from the station till their destinations,” said District Collector Ajit Roy. The journey of the train is expected to increase by at least 12 more hours as a derailment of several coaches of a cargo locomotive has closed the normal route. The journey which would take 42 hours will now end in 54 hours of train travel. 85% of the tickets cost of the passengers has been borne by the Railways and the rest 15% is borne by the State Government, which makes the travel free for all the 728 passengers. The train will come back empty to Goa after its journey and will have no stops at all except for the changeover of operators.
Some of the passengers spoke to the media.
“I was working in a hotel in Mandrem and since there is no work we are leaving for our native place. If everything goes well in the future I will come back for employment in Goa,” said one such person.
Another person added that he had a jewelry store in Calangute but had to go back as he is worried about the well-being of his family. He added that he has retained his business as of now and hopes to be able to return once the situation normalizes.
Incidentally, the entire process took a lot of time and the arrival of passengers from Belgaum was also delayed. The absence of labourers or helpers to do heavy lifting work could also be seen. Officials of the rank of talathis were seen pushing handcarts and getting bottled water for the passengers and staff.
KTC buses ferried the passengers from across Goa to the railway station. The entire station areas and periphery was cordoned off and manned by police to facilitate the exit of the J&K travellers.
