Berhampur: The first batch of stranded Odia migrants from Surat, Gujarat, reached Odisha late on Wednesday.
The four buses carrying 217 migrants were enroute Sheragada and Dharakote in Ganjam district. All passengers were shifted to government quarantine centres after primary medical screening at the destination, sources said.
Each of them had reportedly paid Rs 3,500 for the return journey.
The Prabasi Ofia Parivar Trust (POPT) in Surat has arranged for 10 more buses to help the stranded workers return home. These will leave soon from Surat. Of the estimated 5 lakh Odias living in Surat, at least 3.5 lakh intends to return to Odisha’ amid the lockdown, according to POPT, a report published in ET said.
