Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje/Justin D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP/JD)
Mangaluru, Apr 25: Migrant labourers, most of them from north Karnataka districts, who were stranded in make shift camps after movement of people was restricted and transport sector stopped functioning, began to travel to their homes in Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses.
The migrant labourers, who had no work and nowhere to stay as their income stopped all of a sudden, had been housed in vacant residential quarters, hostels, schools etc and provided with food. The district administration, with the support of KSRTC, has now made arrangements for them to meet their goal of reaching their respective villages. On Friday, 14 buses from Moodbidri and three from Puttur began their journeys. It was also expected that 15 buses from the city will take the migrant labourers to their home districts.
KSRTC divisional controller here, H S Arun, said that the district administration here had sought 100 buses to take migrant labourers and that KSRTC could immediately arrange 80 buses. He said that the bus drivers and conductors who reside in the district will discharge duties in these buses.
The district administration has made necessary arrangements to ensure the safety of the bus passengers. As a precautionary measure, health of all the labourers would be checked before they leave. Hand sanitisers and masks would be provided in all the buses for the families of these labourers. In order to maintain social distance, maximum number of 22 passengers would be allowed in each bus. Every long seat would be allowed to be occupied by one passenger and as such, only 22 passengers can travel in a bus having passenger capacity of 55. These buses will go to Bagalkot, Yadgir, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Hubballi, Chitradurga, Mandya and other districts, migrant labourers from where are in Dakshina Kannada district.
The entire travel cost would be borne by the district administration and the labourers will be provided with free travel. The district administration kept the travel plan a secret till the last minute as there was the apprehension of the general public also trying to make use of the bus facility.
Hundreds of migrant workers are also in different camps in Udupi district. Preparations are on to send them home. The district administration there has placed a demand for 20 buses. A decision about dates and starting points will be taken by Saturday, the officials said.
120 migrant workers shifted from Udupi
As per state government order, the shifting of migrant workers began in Udupi. More than 120 migrant workers from Udupi alone were sent to their homes in their respective districts. These labourers were stranded in Udupi district after the announcement of lockdown. They were not allowed to travel in groups and had no food and jobs to do.
As per state government’s order, KSRTC buses were arranged for the migrants and were sent to their respective districts.
They had been monitored by the district administration and were provided food and all necessary items time to time.
Speaking to Daijiworld.com, Anand C Kallolikar, commissioner. Udupi CMC said, "There were 120 people in Board high school here. All of them are now being sent to their respective home districts. We have provided food, gloves and masks to them. The administration took care of them with great responsibility.”
These workers belonged to Bagalkot, Bijapur, Belagavi, Haveri, Koppal, Dharwad and Hassan. All necessary arrangements were made for their transport. Eight KSRTC buses were arranged. Inside the bus, they are instructed to maintain social distancing.