NEW DELHI: Now migrant workers walking on highways will get assistance from the toll operators across the country.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has asked all toll operators to record the number of migrants who received help from them and they need to provide the details of the facilities provided resting place, drinking water, providing footwear and medical assistance besides food.
They also need to put in record any other assistance for their safety such as pasting radiant tapes on cycles so they vehicles can spot them from a distance.
Some of the toll operators told TOI that there has been significant reduction in the number of migrant workers walking on highways to return home in recent days. “Still we see many walking. We have been providing food and water to these migrants on our own. Now NHAI has asked us to keep the details and share with them,” said a toll operator.
Sources said the issue of migrants taking highways is more in certain states such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The NHAI along with road transport ministry is working on a protocol to deal with this while ensuring that the persons in distress are helped in the best possible manner.
“Private contractors had earlier done great service. In several cases they have donated footwear and other necessary items to the migrant workers returning home,” said an NHAI official.
The home ministry has urged all district administrations to help the migrant workers by creating rest places with food and other necessary facilities till they are guided to bus or rail stations.
Source : TOI
