Corpn facilitates return of 1,500 guest workers from city

According to a Chennai Corporation revenue department official, as many as 238 persons belonging to various districts of Tamil Nadu were sent home on buses. “Our officials went with them and dropped

them at their districts. We conducted tests on the stranded persons before sending them home,” the official said.

The official added that 204 persons hailing from Bihar were sent to their state from Katpadi by train.

Chennai Corporation officials dropped them at Katpadi railway station two days ago. Revenue department of the civic body is coordinating the work.

“We sent 1,038 stranded persons to Odisha on Saturday night. A majority of them are guest workers.

Apart from conducting tests, we provided them rice, dhal and other groceries so that they can manage for a few days once at home,” the official said. All the persons were staying in the relief centres run by the Chennai Corporation.

Meanwhile, more than 6,000 guest workers, belonging to north Indian states such as Jharkhand and West Bengal, have been provided shelter at the relief centres and the civic body is sending the workers, who are willing to go to their states, in a phased manner by coordinating with the State government and railway department.

The officials promised that the guest workers, who opt to stay in the city, would be provided shelter until the lockdown ends and they could return to work.

Chennai Corporation Commissioner G Prakash said more guest workers from northern states would be sent home.

“We are yet to get clearance from the West Bengal government. Once we receive it, we will initiate action,” Prakash added.