The government has transported over 78902 residents of J&K, residents stranded outside UT due to lockdown imposed in the wake of global pandemic, back to their hometowns through COVID special trains, buses and flights. Likewise, the first train carrying 1184 outbound migrant workers has left from Katra for Chattrapur, MP besides the outward movement for 16399 outside people stranded at Lakhanpur has been done till date. As per the detailed break up about the figures, the government has evacuated 61354 residents of J&K, stranded in various other states and UTs, through Lakhanpur besides bringing back home about 17047 people through special trains at Jammu and Udhampur railway stations. Besides 501 passengers including students have been brought back through special flights, so far.1862 stranded passengers have entered through Lakhanpur from May 19 to May 20 morning while 961 passengers have reached today in the 7th COVID special AC train at Jammu railway station besides about 1861 passengers have reached Udhampur railway station from Bengluru, Habibganj and Bholapur in 3 special trains. So far, seven trains have reached Jammu with a total of 6469 stranded passengers belonging to different districts while 10578 passengers have reached Udhampur in 13 special trains, so far. Besides, special trains carrying about 1100 passengers from Ahmadabad is expected to reach Udhampur by this evening.
As per the official communiqué, of 61354 returnees evacuated through Lakhanpur till May 20, 2020 (morning) included 13694 from Punjab; 19775 from Himachal Pardesh, 21 from Andhra Pardesh, 6051 from Delhi, 1297 from Gujrat, 2403 from Rajasthan, 3588 from Haryana, 110 from Chattisgarh, 3117 from Uttarakhand, 666 from Maharashtra, 3996 from Uttar Pradesh, 42 from Odisha, 244 from Assam and 917 from Madhya Pradesh, 88 from Dehradun, 946 from Chandigarh, 666 from Telengana, 42 from Karnataka, 4 from Tamilnadu, 52 from Chennai, 239 from Bihar, 120 from West Bengal, 26 from Jharkhand, 3 from Nepal and 3247 from other states and UTs.Pertinently, the Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua and Srinagar district administrations under the guidance of their Deputy Commissioners have evolved a multi-pronged strategy to ensure that all requisite arrangements and facilities are in place for an organised and convenient boarding and de-boarding of returnees at the Railway stations and airport and their journey towards their home districts. The administration is ensuring 100 per cent sampling of returnees being done at the kiosks established at the stations. Besides, an elaborate transport system has been established to take the passengers to their native districts for adminstrative quarantine amidst strict adherence to the guidelines issued by MHA and MoFHW regarding COVID-19. Elaborate arrangements have been put in place for reception and departure of these passengers to their homes in different districts of J&K. It is being ensured that during the boarding and de-boarding process the passengers observe social distancing and wear masks. Besides, complete protection of the administrative staff and others on duty is being ensured.Principal Secretary PDD, Rohit Kansal; Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi and Chief Electoral Officer, Hirdesh Kumar, who are the Nodal Officers for management of return of stranded people at Jammu, Udhampur and Kathua respectively, are personally monitoring the facilities being extended to the passengers during their de-boarding and movement to their home districts.