In a major relief to people especially migrant workers, students and others stranded in State Capital, the Ranchi district administration has decided to issue e-Pass so that people reach their destination. The e-Pass is web application in which intra-district, inter-district, inter-state e-Pass will be issued. Three types of pass will be issued first for those moving within district, second for those moving from Ranchi to other district and third for those moving from Ranchi to other states.
Applicants can apply at https://epassjharkhand.nic.in Also the facility of e-Pass is only for those moving on two wheeler or four-wheelers smaller in size. Also the applicants have to fix the pass on their vehicles. The web application https://epassjharkhand.nic.in will be functional 24X7 and applicants can apply through mobiles, laptops, computers or at pragya kendras. Moreover, those having any problem while applying can make a call on toll free number 1950 for assistance.
Moreover, in other development, a special train from Kerala to Jharkhand, carrying about 1600 migrant labourers reached Hatia on Wednesday. The special train from Ernakulam is second train carrying labourers to reach Hatia. Last week too, a special train from Telangana carrying 1,200 migrant workers of Jharkhand reached Hatia station in Ranchi on Friday night.
After the train reached Hatia station in the afternoon, food packets and flowers were given to the migrant workers. Hand sanitisers were also available for them.
All workers were screened with thermal scanners if they had any fever or other symptoms. The district administration while screening the labourers also ensured that social distancing was maintained. Those labourers having normal body temperature were given seats on buses for respective district. Social distancing was also maintained while giving seats at labourers in buses.
The migrant laborers stranded in Kerala in the lockdown appeared happy after returning to their home state. On their return, the labourers thanked the state government and expressed happiness over the arrangements made by the Ranchi District Administration at the station.
However, there were many who were upset as despite state governments, centre and railway claiming to bear the fare expresses, many labourers had to pay the fare.
A labourer who reached Hatia from Kerala requesting anonymity said, “The Centre, state governments and railway had promised to bear the fare expenses but we have to pay fare from our pockets.” Rs 825 was charged as fare from a passenger from Ernakullam to Hatia, he said.
The Modi government’s decision to make stranded migrants pay for their own tickets on special trains arranged to take them to their home states triggered a massive controversy as the Congress latched on to the issue.
Sources said that the Railways is charging non-AC sleeper fare as per distance along with a superfast charge of Rs 30 and a reserved-berth charge of Rs 20 levied on each ticket.
Apart from train reaching Hatia, special trains from Surat in Gujarat and Jalandhar in Punjab also reached Dhanbad and Palamu respectively. The train from Jalandhar carried around 1188 passengers while those from Surat carried 1233 passengers.