Run special trains for migrants in Maha after lockdown: Ajit

Mumbai, Apr 23 () Maharashtra Deputy Chief MinisterAjit Pawar has urged Railway Minister Piyush Goyal to runspecial train services from Mumbai and Pune to ferry migrantworkers stuck in Maharashtra to their native states after thelockdown ends on May 3.

According to an official statement, in a letter toGoyal, Pawar said that the migrant workers, stranded indifferent parts of Maharashtra, may step out in big numbers toreturn to their states when the train services resume afterthe lockdown is lifted.

This can lead to law and order problem (with workerscoming out in big numbers), he added.

To avoid this, the Railway Ministry should run specialtrains, he demanded.

The Maharashtra Finance Minister said that the stategovernment has arranged accommodation and food for the migrantworkers, who hail from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other states.

He said six-and-half lakh workers are currentlystaying across the shelters provided by the state government.

Pawar also referred to the scores of migrant workersgathering outside Bandra Railway Station here on April 14 --when the nationwide lockdown was to end, but was extended tillMay 3 -- and said the incident marked how desperate thelabourers were to return to their home states.

"The law and order problem can be avoided and workerscan return to their respective home states safely if theRailway Ministry runs special trains for them after thelockdown period is over," the statement quoted Pawar as sayingin the letter. ENMNP NP