Union Government to start special train from Goa to carry Himachalis back to state

Chief Minister Shri Jai Ram Thakur interacting through video conferencing with the people of State stranded in Goa from Shimla on 9 May 2020.

On the request of the State Government, the Union Government has agreed to run a special train from Thivim/Margao/Karamali (Goa) to Una to facilitate movement of the people of Himachal Pradesh stranded in Goa. This was stated by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while interacting through video conferencing from Shimla with the people of State stranded in various parts of Goa due to the countrywide lockdown in wake of corona pandemic.

Chief Minister said that he has requested the Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal to ply a special train from Goa to Una in Himachal Pradesh to facilitate the people to reach the State. He said that the Union Railways Minister has agreed that a special train would start from Goa on 13th or 14th of May to carry the Himachalis back home.

Jai Ram Thakur said that as many as 1204 people of the State were stranded in Goa which includes 398 from Mandi district, 246 from Kullu district, 241 from Kangra district, 105 from Chamba district, 70 from Shimla district and 43 from Solan district. He said that the State Government was committed for the welfare of the people of the State working in various parts of the country. He said that the Government would try to fully utilize the skill and expertise of the people coming back to their home. He said that after their homecoming they will have to remain under home quarantine.

Himachali youths stranded in Goa Deva Thakur, Mohinder Singh, Sanjay Kumar and Kishore Lal thanked the Chief Minister for taking interest in bringing them back home from Goa.

Industries Minister Bikram Singh, Forests Minister Govind Thakur and former BJP President Satpal Singh Satti were also present of the occasion.