Over 16000 Migrants Return To Ganjam Amid COVID-19 Lockdown

Ganjam: Ganjam has so far seen the homecoming of 16,576 migrants, majority of whom are from Surat.

According to sources, they arrived in the district by 298 buses and other modes of transport between April 29 and May 11.

The migrants entered the district through Durgaprasad Road under Bhanjanagar block and Tarasingh Road under Jagannathprasad block from Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and West Bengal.

Notably, 160 Maharashtra returnees arrived by train in Titlagarh, from where they were taken to Ganjam by buses on May 9.

The returnees are being kept in different quarantine centres set up for them as per the state government protocol.

As many as 14,888 returnees are staying in 383 such centres in eight blocks and five NACs of Bhanjanagar locality, the sources added.

Notably, Forest and Environment Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha recently reviewed the district’s situation through video conferencing. He urged people to stay abreast of the pandemic disease, maintain social distancing, use masks, and not to go near any quarantine centres.

According to official sources, around 3 lakh migrants have registered to return to Ganjam. There could be thousands of unregistered migrants who might be on their way back.

The Odisha government has already deputed three IAS officers and five OAS officers to assist the district administration in COVID-19 management.

Ganjam has so far reported 157 corona positive cases.