Amid massive criticism, K'taka govt seeks consent from states to run Shramik Spl trains

Bengaluru: In the backdrop of the massive criticism over cancellation of special trains to ferry migrant workers Karnataka government is likely to operate Shramik special trains from May 8-15.

The decision to cancel the special trains was taken after chief minister BS Yediyurappa’s meeting with builders who feared that construction work may take a hit if labourers left the state.

Former Chief minister Siddaramaiah was among those to hit out at the government and questioned if practise of bonded labour is still prevalent in the state.

In this backdrop, the government has yet again done a U-turn and has written letters to Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, West Bengal and Rajasthan governments seeking to operate trains to ferry the stranded workers.

As per the plans, two special trains will run on daily basis from Karnataka to Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha from May 8 to 15 while one special train will run from Karnataka to Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan. In case of Tripura and Manipur, one special train will run daily till all stranded labourers are transported.

Consent has already been received from Bihar and Madhya Pradesh goverments while others are yet to confirm.