Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said that efforts were being made to ensure safe return of Malayalis from Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka for Onam holidays through road and railways. He said 32 KSRTC buses would ply from Bengaluru to various parts of Kerala to bring back stranded Malayalis.
The Karnataka police will provide security and escort to these buses half way and then the Kerala police will take over. He said in order to provide adequate security cover to these vehicles during transit, the government had sent a batch of 100 Kerala policemen to Bengaluru for this purpose. Emergency measures have been undertaken to facilitate the journey of those Malayalis who wish to spend Onam with their family members in the state.
“The government will do whatever it takes to provide all assistance to Malayalis stranded in Karnataka,” the Chief Minister said.
Mr Vijayan in a Facebook post said more facilities were being provided to Malayalis to return home. One of the special trains left from Majestic station on Tuesday morning towards Thiruvananthapuram. Those who are going towards Kannur will have to alight at Shoranur from where a connecting train has been arranged. The second special train is from Yeshwantpur to Kannur. Besides, the six regular trains towards Kerala will continue their usual services.
The Chief Minister said two special trains had been sanctioned from Bengaluru to Kerala following a request made to Union railway minster Suresh Prabhu.
The Chief Minister’s Facebook page has provided a telephone number for assistance in Bengaluru; Pradeep - 09535092715.
Meanwhile, transport minister A.K. Saseendran is in touch with his Karnataka counterpart to restore the bus services between the two states. Transport secretary K.R. Jyothi Lal is camping in Bengaluru to coordinate with the Karnataka officials and provide assistance to the stranded Malayalis.
