Karnataka cancels special trains for migrants after CM meets builders

The Karnataka goverment on Tuesday has cancelled all the special trains which were to ferry migrant workers to their home states following a meeting between Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and prominent builders of the state.

According to a Times of India report, N Manjunath Prasad, nodal officer for state's inter-state travel has written a letter to Indian Railways saying Shramik Special trains will not be required from Wednesday.

Karnataka had earlier arranged to run two special trains a day for five days to help stranded workers reach their home state amid national lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic.

"Directions were given to the ministers to convince the labourers to refrain from returning to their home states," Yediyurappa tweeted after the meeting with the builders who expressed concerns of labour exodus.

The CM said builders are providing all essential facilities to labourers and the construction activities have already started. 

" The labourers should not heed to the rumours and avoid unnecessary travel," he said, adding relief measures will be taken after a meeting with the finance department. 

According to a report in The Quint, an official said the decision has been taken to revive Karnataka's economy.

The state government has been collecting railway fares from the migrants and every worker had to pay for both train and bus service to reach station in advance.

A senior official claimed those who booked tickets have left the state  but according to the Quint report, workers were seen stranded and unable to get on a train.