New Delhi, May 19: The Centre on Tuesday suggested steps to states and union territories to "mitigate the distress of migrant workers" who are struggling to reach their hometowns due to the nationwide lockdown. In a letter to chief secretaries to all states and UTs, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla stated that states, in coordination with the Ministry of Railways, can seek more special trains for transportation of stranded migrants. MHA Issues Revised SOP On Movement of Stranded Migrant Workers by Shramik Train, Here Are the Details.

"For routes where the migrants are known to be already travelling on foot, arrangement could be made by the state. District authorities may guide workers moving on foot to designated rest places, nearby bus terminals or railway stations by arranging transportation," Ajay Bhalla said, suggesting states/UTs to increase the number of buses for transporting migrants. He further asked states to ensure that no migrant worker walks on the road or railway tracks. Lockdown 4 Guidelines: What is Allowed and Not Allowed Till May 31? See Full List Issued by MHA.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla's Letter to Chief Secretaries of States/UTs:

"District authorities may be directed to request Ministry of Railways for running trains, where required and ensure that no migrant worker has to resort to walking on roads or railway tracks to reach his destination," Bhalla said. Besides, entry of buses carrying migrants at the inter-state border should be allowed, adequate arrangement of food, health care and counselling to encourage the workers to remain at places where they are should also be made, he added.

Bhalla said steps should be taken for the alleviation of the notion of long quarantine at rest places by district authorities or NGO workers. The Chief Secretary had last week also wrote to chief secretaries of all states and union territories, directing them to ensure that there is no movement of migrant workers on roads and railway tracks.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 19, 2020 12:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).