Punjab: Berths confirmed, 35% migrants don’t leave

MOHALI: For the first train to depart from Mohali, 35% of registered migrants who were sent confirmation SMSes did not turn up, as they preferred to stay back as industries are open now, said deputy commissioner (DC) Girish Dayalan. The officials then had contacted 200 more on the wait list at the last minute.
Shramik Express finally left to Hardoi in Uttar Pradesh with 1,288 passengers The DC said when 1,188 people were contacted a day before to confirm their seats, 25% had already declined to go while another 10% did not turn up at the railway station even after confirmation.
“It is a good omen,” said Dayalan adding that “Refusal to go back is an indication that we are tip-toeing towards normalcy; permission to resume labour intensive construction work and industrial operations has reduced the threat of losing an earning opportunity and will check mass exodus.”
The 24-coach train left Mohali railway station at 10am, running right on schedule with no intermittent stoppage before Hardoi. The fare for the migrants was paid by the Punjab government and they were also given three meals on board.
Staff deployed at the railway station ensured that workers adhered to social distancing while boarding the train.
DC Dayalan said the passengers were screened thoroughly before they boarded the train. They were ferried via buses from the eight collection centres to the railway station.
Although, labourers could register themselves still, the DC stating that things are getting back to normal, appealed to them to choose to stay back and work.