Delhi issues SOP for migrants’ travel, appoints district nodal officers

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Patna: Bihar migrant labourers who were stuck in Rajasthan due to the nationwide lockdown imposed to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, arrive at Danapur Railway station in Patna as they return back to their homestate via Jaipur to Patna Shramik Special train on May 2, 2o20.

New Delhi, (Asian independent) The Delhi government on Sunday issued the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the movements of the migrants in and out of the city amid the lockdown.

In an order, Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev said in each district, the Additional District Magistrates concerned and their police counterparts, the Additional Deputy Commissioners of Police are the designated district nodal officers.

“They shall register stranded persons and prepare the database, after collecting the details in the web based online application,” Dev, in his capacity as the Chairperson Delhi State Executive Committee, said in the order.

All the District Magistrates of Delhi will supervise preparation of a comprehensive data base of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons belonging to other states/UTS, who are stranded in Delhi and are desirous of going back to their respective native place.

Delhi has already appointed the nodal officers for each state/UT for interacting and coordinating with the Resident Commissioners of all States/UTs.

“The nodal officers will continue to function as the nodal officers for the respective State/UT which have been assigned to them,” Dev said in the order.

The SOP says the Health Department will make arrangements for proper screening of the stranded persons and only those found asymptomatic should be allowed to proceed from Delhi and also will be allowed to enter Delhi.

“Buses will be used for transport of groups of persons,” the SOP reads.

The Transport Department was asked to coordinate for the same with the state nodal officers.

Also, for those travelling by the trains, the SOP said special trains will be operated by the Ministry of Railways (MOR) which will designate nodal officers for coordinating with the state/UTs.

“The MOR will issue detailed guidelines for sale of tickets; and for other safety measures.. the persons who wish to travel by making their own arrangements can proceed on the basis of a transit pass issued by respective District Magistrate.”

It also said that the states/UTs can arrange for the appropriate number of buses to be sent to pre-designated bus terminal(s)/locations in Delhi for transportation of the stranded persons from their states/UTs.

The SOP also said that while leaving and entering Delhi, people should be encouraged to use the Aarogya Setu app through which their health status can be monitored and tracked.

For movement into Delhi, the SOP said on the basis of total number of stranded Delhi residents, the Transport Department will send the requisite number of buses to the pre-designated locations in different states/UTs for bringing them back.

“Only those found asymptomatic after proper screening by the authorities in the state where Delhi residents are stranded shall be allowed to board.”

Also, on arrival in Delhi, all the persons will be assessed by the teams designated by the Health Department at each point of disembarkation.

“Respective District Magistrates shall ensure that such persons are kept in home quarantine.”

It also directed the police to ensure that appropriate security arrangements are made at the point of embankments, disembarkment and medical screening of stranded persons.

“Strict vigil on inter-state movement and inter-state borders and adequate number of pickets be set up in all the areas where migrant workers are residing to prevent unlawful movement of persons.”