COVID-19 Lockdown: Gujarat Couple Stranded In Bhubaneswar Rescued

Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has rescued a Gujarat couple stranded in Bhubaneswar after declaration of lockdown due to coronavirus outbreak.

Jitendra Balaji, 29, wife Rashmi, and their 14-month-old daughter from Surat had come to Bhubaneswar on March 14 by train to visit some places here and Jagannath Temple in Puri

The BMC team rescued the couple from Ruchika Market and brought them to Park Resort Hotel, where they will stay now.

They first stayed at Shree Lodge near Barmunda bus stand from March 14 to 18. After the lockdown was announced, the lodge owner had asked them to leave, citing government orders to shut it down.

From March 18 to March 26, the couple was staying in the house of an autorickshaw driver who took them to the hotel from the railway station and around the city for two days.

They were to board a train back home on March 22.

The BMC also sent its doctor to conduct their health check up at the hotel.

Balaji had thanked the civic body for acting promptly and rescuing his family during these difficult times.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had earlier assured his counterparts that his government will assist people from other states stranded in Odisha following the lockdown.