Dispel Rumours, give Clarity on Train/Bus
Departures: MHA to States
·
Proactive coordination among States and Railways essential to
run more trains for smooth transport of Migrant Workers; District Authorities
must give their requirements to Railways
·
Run more Buses, ensure their Smooth Transition across States and
inter-State borders
·
Create en-route Rest Places with basic
amenities for people on foot, till they are guided to bus/rail stations
Posted On: 19 MAY 2020 11:43AM by PIB Delhi
In a communication to the States, Union
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has noted that fear of COVID-19 infection and
apprehension of loss of livelihood are the main driving factors for the
movement of stranded workers towards their homes. In order to mitigate the
distress of migrant workers, the communication stresses on a number of measures
that may be taken by the State governments, pro-actively in coordination with
the Centre. These are:
·
Operation of more
special trains by pro-active coordination between States and with Ministry
of Railways;
·
Increase in number of
buses for transporting migrants; allowing entry of
buses carrying migrants at inter-state border;
·
More clarity may be
given about departure of trains/ buses, as lack of clarity coupled with rumours caused unrest amongst the workers;
·
Arrangement of designated
rest places, with adequate facilities for sanitation, food and healthcare,
could be made by the States on routes where migrants are known to be already
travelling on foot;
·
District Authorities may guide
workers moving on foot to designated rest places, nearby bus terminals or
railway stations by arranging transportation;
·
Special attention may be given to the specific requirements of women, children
and elderly amongst the migrant workers;
·
District Authorities may
involve NGO representatives at rest places etc,
to alleviate the notion of long quarantine at rest places. Workers may also be
encouraged to remain at places where they are;
·
Enlisting the migrants with their addresses and contact numbers. This may be helpful
in contact tracing in due course.
The communication reiterates that District Authorities must
ensure that no migrant worker has to resort to walking on roads or railway
tracks to reach his/her destination. They may request Ministry of Railways for
running trains, as per requirement.