780 migrant workers given food, shelter in Wardha

Nagpur: The Wardha district administration, along with some non-governmental organizations (NGOs), has swung into action to check mass exodus of migrant workers from other states.
The administration is looking after lodging facilities for the migrants while the NGOs are providing food and grocery items.
The district and state borders have been sealed following the 21-day countrywide lockdown.Still several labourers are leaving for their states on foot. They mostly belong Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan.
Several small groups of labourers were tracked down by the Wardha administration, police and NGOs. Between Saturday and Sunday, the administration has rescued around 780 workers.
Wardha sub-divisional officer Suresh Bagale told TOI that lodging and food was arranged for around 780 migrants with the help of NGOs. “These workers were brought from different locations. They were convinced to stay back until the situation improves. They belong to different states and were leaving the district on foot in small groups. Several camps have been put up on premises of some companies, dharamshalas and at a library. They are being provided all the necessary items,” he said.
Bagale also claimed that around 370 labourers were working with two companies appointed for construction of Samruddhi Mahamarg. “We helped them get their one month salary which was on hold due to the lockdown. Health officers conducted their medical check-up at different locations,” Bagale said.
Dr Sachin Pawde, president of NGO Vaidakiya Jan Jagruti Manch, told TOI that several NGOs are providing the migrant workers bags containing grocery items. Till now around 60 bags have been distributed. “The NGOs are also working to provide these packets to other daily wage labourers who cannot afford to buy food due to lockdown,” he said.
“Labourers from not only Wardha city but from nearby villages like Selu are also being brought to these rescue camps. We are also spraying sodium hypochlorite disinfectant at these locations. Till now, all the migrants are fine and only some of them have complained about mild cough and cold for which medicines have been provided,” Bagale said.