Stage set to ferry stranded people by train: CS
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, May 07 2020: The State Government is all set to start ferrying stranded Manipuri people from different parts of the country by train in the next couple of days.

Speaking to media persons this evening at the Old Secretariat conference hall, Chief Secretary Dr J Suresh Babu said that stranded persons who would like to come by special trains should register themselves on the official website www.tengbang.in to facilitate organising trains and working out of the logistics.

So far, around 45,000 people have registered on the website including 34,200 who are eager to return to the State.

With 9747 people, maximum number of registrations came from Delhi.

He said that the first train to ferry stranded passengers from Bangalore may start from Saturday or Sunday with 1200 people.

Stage set to ferry stranded people by train: CS

Even though the Government of the originating State has to make most of the arrangements in consultation with the Railways, nodal officers of the Government of Manipur have been communicating with their counterparts of the originating Governments, Dr Suresh Babu said.

Saying that the trains are likely to come with about 1200 people, he informed that Jiribam has been chosen as the terminal station for it is the only railway station of the State.

The Chief Secretary also informed that a team of senior officers including himself, Additional Chief Secretary (Relief), Principal Secretary (Health), ADGP (L&O) and Commissioner (Works) visited Jiribam today to assess the requirement for construction of temporary mandap, toilets, screening areas, segregation area, if required and parking space for 40 odd buses to ferry the passengers.

The Government has been working to procure more PPEs even though 5000 COVID-19 testing kits have already arrived at Imphal.

As for other stranded people who are eager to return by their own or hired vehicles, they should fill in a simple format available on the website www.tengbang.in and send it by email to [email protected].

The cell opened with the Home Department and dedicated for this purpose would issue pass as soon as possible and also communicate it to the originating and transit States to facilitate movement.

Till date, passes for entry of over 1000 persons have been issued.

Stranded persons should check Government websites of their current location to see if they need to register or need exit permit, Dr Suresh Babu said.

The Chief Secretary stated that the State Government has been taking up all measures to contain and control the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in Manipur and the lockdown would be implemented strictly in letter and spirit.

On COVID-19 management, he said that two COVID-19 treatment blocks have been established at JNIMS and RIMS with total bed capacity of 100 including 20 for ICU.

Isolation wards have also been established in each district hospital and at Moreh in addition to establishment of Flu Clinics at all these places.

Each district is provided with 40 surveillance teams and rapid response teams.

Dr Suresh Babu said that the Government has ensured regular supply of all essential commodities and on an average more than 250 trucks are coming from outside the State to meet necessary requirements.

The Chief Secretary further informed that he has been coordinating with his counterparts of other States to ensure smooth movement of trucks.

Lifting of rice for the month of May has just started.

In order to facilitate timely lifting, the State Government recently established a corpus fund of Rs 5 crore (as revolving fund) with CAF & PD Department.

Strict monitoring is put in place and the Deputy Commissioners are made responsible.

There is sufficient quantity of rice, he added.

The press conference was also attended by Principal Secretary (Health) Vumlunmang Vualnam.