Top

Karnataka stops trains in bid to retain migrant labourers

There is an urgent need to kickstart economic activity in the state, says Yediyurappa

Bengaluru: In a bid to retain over two lakh migrant laborers, Karnataka government has written to Railways Department to stop all the trains from Bengaluru.

According to reports, N Manjunath Prasad, the nodal officer for Karnataka's inter-state travel, wrote to the Indian Railways stating that the special trains would not be required from Wednesday (May 6).

Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa said that the government had convinced the laborers to return to their work places, as government was allowing construction and industrial activities.

Already, arrangements were made for over one lakh migrant laborers to return to their homes through buses and trains. The state government had arranged special trains to run two times a day for five days to ferry stranded workers. The rest have agreed to stay back.

"During a high level meeting in last two days, the employers have agreed to pay full salary and provide them food also. There is an urgent need to resume economic activities," he said.

"Covid-19 is not eradicated completely from the state. However, the government, while fighting Corona virus on one hand, has to resume economic activities on other hand. We are taking all cautions," he added.

( Source : deccan chronicle )
Next Story