Over 1,100 students, workers stranded in Bokaro

Divy Khare | TNN | May 6, 2020, 05:00 IST

Bokaro: At a time when the government machinery is working hard to bring back migrant labourers and students stranded in other states, the district administration is struggling to send hundreds of people, who are stuck here, to their home states. The authorities, however, said arrangements will be made for those who wanted to stay back.
Bokaro, an industrial town and educational hub, has a good number of outside students and workers, who were stranded because of the lockdown. Many of those stranded include students from prominent schools in the town and those preparing for engineering and medical entrance examinations. The district authorities said they are extending help to these students by providing them with passes to return home.
DC Mukesh Kumar said, “Students have been asked to contact the district control room and apply for passes issued by the administration.” The district authorities also said stranded workers will also be provided passes, however, both stranded students and workers have to arrange their own transport.
District transport officials said they have received more than 1,100 applications from students, workers and other people who wanted to return to their home states. District transport officer Santosh Kumar Garg, who is the pass issuing authority, said, “The administration is in the process of receiving applications and will issue passes to all of them. Students, labourers or others can go back by vehicles of their convenience. Majority of those who have applied for pass belongs to Bihar.”
He added that many applications for West Bengal were also received. At present, the Bengal government is not permitting entry of vehicles from Jharkhand even for those with valid passes. “For time being, we are not issuing passes for Bengal,” Garg said.
The DC said stranded students, who want stay back in Bokaro, will be provided help in their studies and other amenities.
He said, “Ration will be provided to all students stranded here. They can register their locations and details at the control room 06542- 222111.”