AP clears decks for migrants’ homecoming

Bengaluru: Three special trains left Bengaluru on Sunday with hundreds of migrant workers to Bhubaneswar in Odisha, to Danapur near Patna in Bihar and Hatia near Ranchi in Jharkhand nearly 40 days after they were stranded in this tech city since the lockdown on March 25. The first shramik special left Chikbanavara station in the eastern suburb at 9.26 a.m. with 1,190 migrants to Bhubaneswar, second from Malur in the eastern outskirts at 2.35 p.m. for Danapur with 1,200 migrants and third, also from Malur, to Hatia at 5.25 p.m. with 1,200 migrants.

Amaravati, (Samajweekly) With the wheels set in motion for the nationwide transport of migrant labourers to their home states, Andhra Pradesh has drawn out the blueprint for the homecoming of migrant workers and students stuck in other states due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Briefing the media on Sunday, following a review meeting, Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Alla Kala Krishna said that the decision has been taken to bring back 2 lakh Andhra citizens stranded in 13 states. The stranded citizens primarily include migrant labourers and students, are to be transported back by rail.

The minister said that nine special trains have been arranged, under the supervision of special officer Krishna Babu, to bring back migrants stranded in other states. Measures are also being taken in coordination with respective state governments, to provide food and other facilities to the stranded Andhra Pradesh citizens.

Special quarantine arrangements are being put in place for the migrants on their return to the state. The village secretariats in the state have been turned into quarantine centres, and will be fitted with a capacity of one lakh beds.

“All facilities, including nutritious food and hygienic toilets will be kept ready for the returnees. There would be no compromise on the issue,” said the minister.

The government has also decided to ensure the safe passage of 12,794 migrants from other states held up in Andhra Pradesh to their home states.

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