Train journey from Chennai deferred by one day
Fleet of 50 buses lined up to bring returnees to Imphal
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 09 2020: The Transporters and Drivers Council (TDC) has gathered a fleet of 50 buses to bring 1200 people from Jiribam to Imphal.

It has been already reported that altogether 1200 Manipuri people stranded at Chennai would be brought to Jiribam by a special train.

Speaking to media persons at their MG Avenue office today, TDC president H Ranjit said that the TDC is prepared to contribute its best efforts to the State Government's initiative to bring back Manipuri people who have been stranded in different parts of the country on account of the COVID-19 lockdown.

In the first phase, 1200 people stranded at Chennai would be brought to Jiribam by a special train and the train was scheduled to reach Jiribam railway station on May 12 .

Fleet of 50 buses lined up to bring returnees to Imphal

However, the special train which was scheduled to leave Chennai with 1200 Manipuri people today could not leave the southern metropolis on account of the Vizag gas leak.

The train would start its journey tomorrow and as such, it is likely to arrive at Jiribam on May 13 .

To bring those 1200 people to Imphal, a fleet of 50 buses would be flagged off for Jiribam from Langjing Achouba on May 11, Ranjit said.

Drinking water as well as eatables would be provided as soon as the returnees board the buses, he said while appealing to all the drivers and handymen to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and also physical distancing norms.

Like other front-line warriors against COVID-19 such as doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and police, transporters and drivers too have been shouldering key responsibilities and this has been acknowledged by the State Government, said the TDC president while hailing Chief Minister N Biren for the acknowledgement.

He then appealed to all drivers and handymen not to be unduly panicky but discharge their duties diligently.

There has been no case of any driver and handymen contracting COVID-19 till date in the State even though they have been continuously ferrying essential items since the lockdown was clamped, he said.

Ranjit also noted that the condition of Imphal-Jiribam highway has improved remarkably.

Nonetheless he sought attention of the Chief Minister to see that construction of Irang, Makru and Barak bridges is completed within the current year.