Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan pointed out on Tuesday that the Indian Railways had sent a Special Train from other State to Kerala without informing his Government, and this kind of move by the Railways will affect the containment plans taken in Kerala.
A train from Mumbai reached Kerala without the latter’s knowledge. Mr.Vijayan worried that this kind of action could adversely impact Kerala’s strategies in handling the COVID-19 crisis.
Mr.Vijayan has sent a letter to Piyush Goyal, Indian Railways Minister to inform the Kerala Govt in advance about the Special Train and Passenger Details, so that they could arrange for proper quarantine facilities.
Earlier, Mr.Goyal made a harsh statement that Kerala CM does not care to bring stranded Keralites in places such as Mumbai. Pinarayi Vijayan pointed that it is inappropriate for a person in high position to speak like that.
Soon after the Mumbai train was handled, another train was scheduled from Maharashtra to arrive at Kerala without informing in prior but the officials intervened and rescheduled it. Kerala CM has informed this matter to Prime Minister Modi. Mr.Vijayan mentioned that those who come to Kerala must register with the Web-portal COVID-19 Jagratha.
Case of Foreign Returnees
As people from abroad are returning to their hometowns in Kerala, they should pay a small fee for quarantine. Mr.Vijayan mentioned that will be affordable for all. This move was criticized by Kerala RSP Leader N.K.Premachandran.
He said the Kerala Govt mentioned that they have 2.35 lakh beds and out of that 1.53 lakh beds are ready to accommodate. Also it was conveyed that there are 9000 private rooms ready to put people in private hotels for a payment. Premachandran said that the Govt charging homecoming people for quarantine is not a good move.