Migrants see khaki men in new avtaar each time in Surat

Yagnesh Bharat Mehta | TNN | Updated: May 2, 2020, 08:58 IST

After food, now cops are getting private transport buses at affordable rates to send the stranded migrant labourers reach their hometowns

After food, now cops are getting private transport buses at affordable rates to send the stranded migrant labo...Read More

SURAT: Coronavirus has brought about complete change in perception about police in the minds of people.
Thus, it was no surprise that the cops, who arranged food for lakhs of migrant workers in the city for over a month, are now working overtime to ensure transportation for them so that they can reach their native states.
Police are getting private transport buses at affordable rates to send the desperate workers to their homes in Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. Many migrants have already left for their hometowns from Pandesara, Sarthana and Amroli in 200 buses arranged for them by cops from Thursday onwards.
Police commissioner R B Brahmbhatt had got approval from director general of police Shivanand Jha to bring buses from other cities to Surat to overcome their shortage to facilitate travel of migrant workers.
"Booking a bus is not easy for workers in lockdown. Hence, police, industrial associations and private bus transporters are jointly arranging buses for them. We have limited number of private buses in the city. This is why we got approval from DGP office to bring the buses from other cities to Surat," Brahmbhatt told TOI.
"Over 200 buses from the city that left with passengers got stuck in Saurashtra and north Gujarat because of lockdown. These buses are likely to return here by tomorrow," said Dinesh Anghad, president of Akhil Gujarat Pravasi Vahan Sanchalak Mahamandal (AGPVSM). Police are arranging the buses for migrant workers with AGPVSM’s support.
"Our target is to send over 1,000 buses to different states in the first phase. The price for a ticket is only Rs3,500. It is reasonable amount considering permission for limited number of passengers in and long journey," said Prashant Sumbe, deputy commissioner of police, traffic.
Some of the biggest kitchens in Sachin GIDC, Sarthana and Amroli for migrant workers were started due to the efforts of police, who encouraged social service groups to come to their help.
"Police tried their level best to keep the migrant workers stay put at one place. Now, we are trying to help those who want to go home as per the new guidelines to reach their destinations safely,” Brahmbhatt added.