To ferry the stranded people of Manipur once they arrive at Jiribam railway station, the state authority in association with transporters and drivers flagged off 50 buses for Jiribam near Imphal on Monday, reports said.
Jiribam is located about 220 km west of Imphal.
The flagging off of the buses was attended by director Mercina Panmei and the functionaries of the Transporters and Driver’s council headed by its president T Ranjit Singh.
Speaking on the occasion the transport director informed that the special train carrying 1140 stranded people of the State are expected to arrive on May 12 afternoon.
Once their screening and other medical procedure are completed, the buses are scheduled to depart from Jiribam with the train returnees on May 13 afternoon.
On the other hand, Transporters and Driver’s council president Ranjit said the buses which were flagged off will be carrying drinking water, eatables and hand sanitizers.
Similar items would be provided to buses which would be sent to Jiribam in the second and third phases.
It may be noted that the state Transport department in association with the transporters and drivers’ body have been organizing about 150 buses for the transportation of those who are returning home by special train.
Sources said the first special train carrying around 1140 stranded people of the State was heading to Manipur after it left Chennai railway station on Sunday evening.
The State Government is also planning to receive other special trains from other parts of the Indian cities.
Sources said special trains carrying stranded people of the State are also waiting for their turn at Punjab and Karnataka.
Earlier, the state chief minister’s COVID-19 relief fund had already sanctioned some amount to bear the train fare for the returnees.
At the same time the State Government also issued a standard operating procedure for smooth transport and screening of the stranded people of the State.