Over 6,000 students of Kota coaching institutes make homeward journey to UP in buses

Over 6,000 students from Uttar Presh who are preparing for various competitive examinations in coaching hub of Kota in Rajasthan have left for ir homes in buses sent by Yogi ityanath government, officials said on Saturday.

According to conservative estimates, around 8,000 students from various parts of Uttar Presh are taking coaching classes in Kota.

Kota Divisional Commissioner Laxmi Narayan Soni told PTI that 6,000 plus students from Uttar Presh have alrey left Kota.

A senior Uttar Presh government official late on Saturday night said, "So far, over 2,700 students have arrived in Jhansi from Kota in 108 buses."

Uttar Presh government h on Friday sent 250 buses to Kota, estimating total number of students to be around 7,500, but more students gared at three boarding points in city after learning about travel arrangement.

Some of students were accompanied by ir parents.

Officials w fear buses may be inequate to accommodate all students willing to return home. But Kota Public Relations Deputy Director Hariom Gurjar said that Uttar Presh government has assured m that more vehicles would be arranged if re is a shortfall.

Kota ministration h prepared a list of students based on information received from coaching institutes and did t account for those studying in city without enrolling in any institute, officials said.

ditional Superintendent of Police Rajesh Mill, overseeing exercise, said 100 buses with around 3,000 students left for Uttar Presh early in morning.

process to send remaining students whose names are in list is underway, he ded.

Asked about students who are t listed, he expressed inability of Kota ministration in arranging more buses, saying, "It would t be possible at our level. resources have to come from re (UP) and we can only cooperate and maintain social distancing while sending students back home."

students h started a social media campaign #SendUsBackHome on Tuesday, following which Yogi government decided to bring m back.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot praised move, saying or state governments should follow suit.

Officials said buses have been sanitised and students departing for ir hometowns are being rmal screened before boarding m. Food packets, water bottles, masks are also being provided to students.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Saturday welcomed Uttar Presh government's decision to bring back home students stranded in coaching hub.

However, Bihar minister Sanjay Kumar Jha is t impressed. He said Uttar Presh government sending buses and Gehlot calling upon or states to follow suit are a "mockery" of nationwide lockdown.

Manish Kumar, a resident of Uttar Presh's Maharajganj district and a medical aspirant, has been told that he may board a bus on Sunday.

Following outbreak of COVID-19, he says his family members are much worried and calls him at least 10 times to enquire his well being.

Asked how he is arranging for his food, Manish said, "Currently we are dependent on local tiffin services. Initially, some children started cooking ir own food, as y felt tense after outbreak of COVID-19."

Tushar Shrestha, a friend of Manish, feels lucky to have returned to his home in Allahab in February.

"I returned to Allahab in February itself, as my course got completed, and I mand to appear in some medical tests from Allahab. I am in touch with some of my friends who are still in Kota," he said.