New Delhi, May 12 (IANS): The Indian Railways has transported over six lakh stranded migrant workers, students, pilgrims and tourists by the 542 Shramik Special trains since May 1, officials said on Tuesday.

A railway ministry spokesperson said that by 9.30 a.m. on Tuesday, a total of 542 Shramik Special trains have been operationalized from various states across the country, in which 448 trains had reached its destination and 94 trains are in transit.

He said that these 448 trains were terminated in various states like Andhra Pradesh (1), Bihar (117), Chattisgarh (1), Himachal Pradesh (1), Jharkhand (27), Karnataka (1), Madhya Pradesh (38), Maharashtra (3), Odisha (29), Rajasthan(4), Tamil Nadu (1), Telangana (2), Uttar Pradesh (221) and West Bengal (2).

He said that these trains have ferried migrants to cities like Tiruchchirappalli, Titlagarh, Barauni, Khandwa, Jagannathpur, Khurda Road, Prayagraj, Chhapra, Balia, Gaya, Purnia, Varanasi, Darbhanga, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Jaunpur, Hatia, Basti, Katihar, Danapur, Muzzaffarpur, Saharsa etc.

The railways started to run Shramik Special from May 1.

On Monday, railways said that the Shramik Special trains will now have three stoppages on its route and will run with full capacity.

The announcement came a day after the Indian Railways announced to run 15 pair of air conditioned trains from New Delhi to several cities from May 12.

The official also said that now 1,700 passengers can travel in the train against 1,200 passengers earlier allowed to travel in the Shramik Special trains.