Berhampur: As if being rendered jobless amidst the lockdown was not enough, Odia migrant workers desperate to return home are being exploited by touts selling tickets for Shramik special trains from Gujarat.
Sources said the actual price of a ticket is Rs 710, but the migrants stranded in Surat are forced to shell out Rs 1,000 for the same.
On their part, the ECoR and Surat district administration said they have given the authority to some Odia organizations for selling tickets to the migrant workers. Some of these organisations are allegedly involved in selling the tickets in black by charging more from the hapless workers.
Notably, more than 5 lakh workers from Odisha work spinning mills and factories in Surat. However, they have been rendered jobless after the lockdown and spend their days in hunger.
Following an appeal by these workers, the Odisha government decided to bring them back. Accordingly, more than 16,000 migrants were transported back to the state aboard 288 buses. Each worker had to reportedly pay a fare of Rs 3,500 to Rs 5,000 for the trip back home.
Also Read: Bus Ferrying Odisha Migrants From Andhra Rams Into Truck Near Tangi, Driver Dead
Later, the government stopped the service following a spate of accidents involving the buses ferrying the migrant workers.
Now, the migrants are returning from Surat to Odisha by the Shramik special trains.
Also Read: 32 Shramik Special Trains Already Engaged In Carrying Migrant Odias
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