Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India has asked all States and Union Territories to assist the Railway in smooth movement of stranded migrant labourers in buses and Shramik special trains.
In a letter addressed to Chief Secretaries of respective states and UTs, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla referred to a meeting held on May 10.
The glaring issue of migrant workers walking on road or railway tracks were discussed in the meeting. Since transportation of migrants by buses and trains has already been initiated, respective Governments have been asked to ensure that the migrant labourers do not resort to walking on roads or tracks. And if found walking, then they should be counselled and transferred to the closest quarantine facility and their fooding and accommodation are taken care of.
The MHA requested the State/UT governments to increase the Shramik special trains so that travel of stranded migrant workers is facilitated at a faster rate. Furthermore, the governments were also urged to receive the trains without any hindrance and facilitate transportation of migrants to their native places.
