Citing Cyclone Amphan, Bengal govt now stresses on home quarantine for returning migrants

Amid ongoing tussle with Maharashtra government over number of migrant trains, West Bengal government has w said state longer has  infrastructure to support lakhs of returning workers in wake of devastation caused by Cyclone Amphan. It has ded that state government is in discussion with or states to bring in returnees in a 'planned and staggered manner' on a 'mutually-acceptable schedule'.  Mamata Banerjee-led government has n said that it will vise migrant workers for home quarantine inste of institutional facilities.

Speaking on Tuesday evening, Home Secretary Alapan Bandyophyay said state h capacity to accept 10-15 trains of migrant workers daily and lakhs of people h returned. However, he said that with devastation caused by Amphan, state's infrastructure like ros, schools and buildings, health and food for m are insufficient. Hence, he ded that pressure should be "optimal and well mand".

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He said: "We are trying to simplify certain procedures at different (interstate) borders, railway stations so that re is big garing in quarantine centres, reby increasing chances of people being infected by coronavirus, That is why Health Department has constituted protocols. People returning to state in trains or flights and are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic should opt for home quarantine. For those who are severely symptomatic, swab tests with appropriate medical assistance will be followed."

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Bandyophyay ded: "Keeping se in mind, we are in discussion with different state governments to bring in returnees in a planned and staggered manner so that mutually-acceptable schedules are houred. So that y (migrant workers) can come back home and t need to stay in unhealthy infrastructure, That is reason we are framing our guidelines, stressing on home quarantine inste of institutional quarantine."

home secretary furr ded that 19 out of total 225 trains sought by state government to bring back migrant workers and stranded pilgrims, students and tourists h arrived. He also said that people are being allowed to enter state via roways.

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Shramik trains: Maharashtra vs Centre vs West Bengal 

Amid migrant crisis, a tussle has broken out between Governments of Maharashtra and West Bengal.  Maharashtra government demand of running 41 Shramik trains to West Bengal on Tuesday which was rejected by Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government.

Amid tussle, Centre stated that route of se trains would need to be diverted since cancelling or rescheduling se trains could turn out to be a major setback for migrant labourers who were rey to leave for ir native places. Centre also ded that although it will t interfere in internal conflict between two states, migrant labourer's interests need to be taken care of. Indian Railways has also requested Maharashtra government to sort out issue with West Bengal government as soon as possible.

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Cyclone Amphan in West Bengal

Cyclone Amphan which reported winds up to 190 kmph me landfall at Digha coast of West Bengal at 2.30 pm last week, hitting Kolkata a few hours later. re were widespre power cuts in large parts of Kolkata, rth 24 Paraganas, and South Paraganas. Mobile, internet services, and electricity were also down in parts as cyclone h damd several communication towers and electrical grid.  86 people have died due to Cyclone so far.

(with PTI inputs)