JAIPUR: Thousands of migrant and daily wage workers are left stranded on the roads, unable to head home due to no transportation services operation during the lockdown. Seeing the helplessness of those affected most by the lockdown, Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, Minister of Transport, Government of Rajasthan, has instructed the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) to press state transport buses into action to transport migrant workers back to their homes. Khachariyawas instructed RSRTC to keep 20 fully sanitised buses ready at depots across the state at all times.
In order to make it easier for migrant workers to board these buses, Khachariyawas instructed that four bus stops are to be set up across Jaipur. These are Transport Nagar for Delhi and Agra, Chomu Pulia for Sikar, Durgapura Bus Stand for Tonk-Kota and bus stop on 200-feet bypass for Ajmer route. The Minister further stated that the buses will be used for this purpose only on the recommendation of the district collectors.
Khachariyawas noted that thousands of migrant workers are walking several kilometres to reach home and it is the duty of the government to help them reach home safely. He also urged people to adhere to the instructions given by the state and central governments and to stay indoors. Similar initiatives have also been taken by various other state governments including Uttar Pradesh that has introduced over 1000 buses to ferry migrant labourers working in and around Delhi. However, the government has clearly said that these people will be quarantined in government camps and will be sent to their homes after 14 days.