TUESDAY, MAY 07, 2024
Team Herald
Panjim: Goa People's Voices (COVID-19 Response) has sought government's intervention for efficient running of Shramik Express Trains, while claiming that precise planning should be adopted for a smooth operation.
"We write to you with serious concern about the manner in which the migrant workers are being transported to their home State via the Indian Railways. We are aware that this is a large scale operation during a pandemic, but this does not take away from the State obligation to treat migrant workers as human beings wherever they may be from, and whatever work they may be doing. This must get as much attention by way of precise planning and by way of respecting sensitivities as any other State obligation during the lockdown. It also entails coordination, so that arbitrary practices are eliminated," the letter to Ministry of Civil Aviation, Railways and State Nodal Officer for Inter-State Movement said.
The group has appealed for information on train timings to the migrants along with reporting time, to be given in the confirmed message/sms, train numbers and route to be shared in the sms and along with this a token number be provided as this would help to ease out the long queues and confusion.
"Where Margao or Karmali are stops for the trains coming from somewhere else, then ensure that there is food available on the platform for passengers coming from somewhere else. Provide food and water as people reach Margao/Karmali. Most travel 2-3 hours by local bus with last minute SMS leaving no time to prepare food for the journey, arrangements of water to be given every few hours when people are standing in line, etc," they added.
