Migrants From Odisha Stuck In Gujarat Amid COVID-19 Lockdown To Be Brought Back In Buses

Bhubaneswar: In a major relief for migrant workers, the Odisha government today decided to bring back the workers of the State who are now stranded in different parts of Gujarat due to coronavirus lockdown.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik today held discussions with his Gujarat counterpart Vijay Rupani through video conferencing about the issues pertaining to migrant workers in presence of Union PNG and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

It was decided in the meeting that the stranded migrant workers will be brought back to the State from Gujarat by buses. A coordination committee comprising two officials each from Odisha and Gujarat will be set up and arrangements will be made for transportation of migrant workers in the special buses.

It has also been decided that request will be made to the governments of three states such as Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to waive the road tax of the buses for hassle-free transportation of migrants during the journey. Besides, decision regarding the transportation of the stranded workers by other means apart from buses will be taken after a thorough review.

#Odisha govt to bring back migrant workers stranded in Gujarat; a coordination committee comprising two officials each from Odisha & #Gujarat will be set up & arrangements will be made for transportation of migrant workers in special buses: CMO #Covid19 https://t.co/HJtCCGLvzO

— OTV (@otvnews) April 26, 2020

During the discussion, Odisha CM Naveen made it clear that registration is mandatory for workers who intend to return to Odisha. All the workers will be put under quarantine after their return to the State.

The Odisha CM also held discussion with Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray through video conference over the safe return of Odia people working there. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also joined the discussion from Delhi.

As per the discussion, people from Odisha who are stranded in Maharastra due to coronavirus lockdown and intend to return to the State will be brought back in special buses in an organised manner. Chief Secretaries of Odisha and Maharashtra will hold a discussion in this regard and direct senior officials to maintain coordination for hassle-free return of the migrants.

A day earlier, the Odisha government allowed intra-state movement of labourers who are stranded in the State due to Coronavirus lockdown.

Around 86,000 workers, including 16,000 from within Odisha, are being accommodated in 2,610 camps in various districts in the State.

Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 cases in Odisha reached 103 as three more persons tested positive for the virus. The three persons are from Sundargarh district, informed the State Health Department.

With this, the number of active cases in the State touched 68 while 34 persons have recovered so far.

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