Punjab CM requests PM Modi for special trains to enable return of migrants to their homes

Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi has requested him to advise Railway Ministry to arrange special trains to move stranded migrants to ir respective destinations.

Punjab CM urges PM Modi to advise Railway Ministry

"Estimates indicate that nearly one million workers will need transport to go back to ir states. only feasible option in circumstances was to arrange special trains, which Railways may run from point to point, keeping in view number of persons to be transported to a given destination," Punjab CM wrote in letter.

ting that since many or states might also be facing a similar situation, Captain Amarinder sought PM Modi's intervention in matter, urging him to advise Ministry of Railways to make special arrangements to ensure that se migrant workers reach ir destination safely.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had, on Wednesday, allowed inter-state movement of migrant workers, while directing that "buses shall be used for transport of a group of persons, of course after proper sanitization and maintaining social distancing rms in seating."

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Captain Amarinder pointed out that a large number of migrant workers who had come to Punjab for jobs/employment from Bihar, UP, and Jharkhand intended to return to ir respective states due to outbreak of COVID-19. "se workers are engd both in agriculture and industries. However most of m eir lost ir jobs or could t find employment/work due to curfew imposed in state to contain coronavirus," he wrote.

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During a video conference with state's DCs and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSPs), Chief Minister said he has written to Prime Minister with regard to transportation of migrants. He pointed out that Ludhiana alone had over seven lakh migrant labourers, with whole of Punjab having over a million of m.

Though data was still being collated, approximately 70% of labourers in Punjab hailed from Bihar, Chief Minister said, adding that movement of such large numbers was possible only through trains, with proper screening to be done at time of departure. 

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Punjab saw steepest rise in number of vel coronavirus cases on Thursday with 105 persons, mostly pilgrims who returned from Nanded, testing positive for disease, officials said. It is for first time that state has reported more than 100 coronavirus cases in a single day. With fresh detections, number of COVID-19 cases in Punjab w stands at 480, y said.

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(With ncy inputs)