The trains carrying migrants from different parts of district Ludhiana have started departing from Railway Station, Doraha from today onwards. A total of 12 trains, including three from Doraha Railway Station, departed for different states today. The first train from Doraha (departing to Kishanganj in Bihar) was flagged off by Payal MLA Mr Lakhbir Singh Lakha, Deputy Commissioner Mr Pradeep Kumar Agrawal, besides others.Mr Agrawal informed that the movement of migrants from Ludhiana to their native places via train is going on smoothly since May 5, 2020. He said that if any migrant feels that he has not been called till date, he can go to the nearest shelter home and he would be sent to their home states within 3-4 days. A total of 40 shelter homes have been set up in Ludhiana where stay and food is totally free.The trains carrying 1600 migrants each that departed from Railway Station Ludhiana, included for Sitamarhi in Bihar, Saran (Chapra) in Bihar, Muzzaffarpur in Bihar, Hardoi in Uttar Pradesh, Gonda in UP, Azamgarh in UP, Gonda in UP, Partapgarh in UP and Hardoi in UP. The three trains that departed from Doraha town included for Kishanganj in Bihar, Motihari in Bihar and Sitamarhi in Bihar.
The Deputy Commissioner informed that in a good news, now many of the migrants do not want to leave for their home states because they have returned back to their jobs since the day industry started its operations in Ludhiana. He said that in the coming days, District Administration would be increasing the frequency of trains. He said that the Punjab government is also sending migrants to nearby states by buses now.He further informed that the Punjab government is paying for travel, food, water and pickup service from designated points. He informed that the medical screening of all passengers is being done after which, they are issued medical certificates by the District Administration. He further said that the Punjab government is in constant touch with the other states and more trains would be started in coming days so that maximum number of people can be sent to their home states.He informed that to bring in transparency and increase efficiency, the District Administration Ludhiana has a barcode on the medical slip, which is being issued to the passengers. He informed that the barcode is scanned when the passenger reaches Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana and Government Senior Secondary School, Sahnewal for screening and getting tickets. He also thanked other officials for conducting the smooth operation of trains.