New Delhi: Flight operations, Railways and inter-state bus services are likely to remain suspended even after 14 April, when the nationwide lockdown is expected to end, ThePrint has learnt.
The move was discussed at a meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on Covid-19 Tuesday, where Amit Shah and Nirmala Sitharaman, among others, were present. The GoM, headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, was held to review the situation and steps taken across the country to fight the virus.
This was the fourth meeting of the GoM on Covid-19 since March 25.
Although no decision was taken on either extending or lifting of the lockdown, the ministers discussed the exit strategy of how it can be lifted in phases.
According to a source in the government, everyone agreed that inter-state movement must be restricted to keep the spread of the virus in check.
“Even if certain restrictions are lifted, inter-state travel will not be allowed even post-14 April. This includes air and rail travel and inter-state bus movement. Because if that starts, people will start moving around the country, which can prove to be dangerous, considering the present circumstances,” the source said.
The source added that although there is a plan to ease certain restrictions by 14 April, complete lifting of the lockdown is “out of question”.
“The ministers agreed that complete lift of the lockdown is out of question. An exit strategy is being worked out on how to go about easing out restrictions and it will be done in phases,” he said.
Besides that, the need to enhance testing across the country, close monitoring using drones and easing restrictions on the movement of agricultural labourers was also discussed, sources told ThePrint.
Also read: Transportation of goods in India comes to near halt amid nationwide lockdown
Supply of essential goods
The GoM also discussed the supply of the essential goods to parts of the country.
“It was noted that essential commodities were available in sufficient quantities and no shortages were reported from anywhere in the country. Also, all supplies are being smoothly transported to parts of the country,” a second source told ThePrint.
Religious places
The GoM also put forth their concerns over closely monitoring all religious places to keep a check on large gatherings.
“It was felt that places where the public tend to gather in large numbers such as religious centres should be closely monitored and any such gatherings be prevented,” the second source said. “Increased monitoring through drones was also suggested.”
Testing facilities
According to the second source, the GoM also discussed measures to enhance testing facilities in medical laboratories.
“The GoM recommended measures to enhance testing facilities in medical laboratories. They are aware that this is the need of the hour and needs to be taken up on priority,” the second source said. “All state governments will be given directions accordingly.”
Agricultural operations
Although a decision was made to allow agricultural operations during the current harvest season, despite a lockdown, many farmers have not started work as the message has not trickled down to the grassroots level.
The GoM, in this meeting, also decided that the authorities concerned be briefed about how to convey the message to these farmers at the earliest.
“Though the government has said that agricultural operations can go on, considering that a person can very well practice social distancing while working in a field, the message has not trickled down to the grassroots level,” the source said.
“The GoM discussed the same in great detail and has decided to ask concerned authorities to spread the message among farmers that they can come out in the fields to work, while practicing social distancing.”
The GoM also expressed satisfaction over measures put in place to provide shelter and food to migrant workers.
Also read: Trial assessing anti-clotting drug to algorithm guiding PPE use — latest on Covid-19 research
Please please think about the person like me who is stuck in Kolkata from 23 rd March 2020. My parents are old, my Mom is an Ostroathritis patient and my father has fallen down from stairs. There is no one to look after them. They are alone in Asansol. In this age, in this fearful condition my father has to go out for shopping. Please run some buses so that the person like me can go home. My parents are helpless, and also me. Please please do something, i want to go to my home in Asansol. I request with Folded hands to the Government of West Bengal to run some Buses.
R/All
I’m stuck in Jharkhand as s sudden lick down was announced after 24th March no domestic flights would fly,my ticket was on 25th march Morning. I understand S/M whatever steps were taken was for betterment of each one of us and now for another 21 days till 3rd May .
My mother in law is cancer patient and father in law is 77 yrs old.My husband is also there but he could not take care as thers is no ladies at home so they are facing difficulties ,pls start flight if not train and can check the passengers and let them board flight to maintain the same.But it’s now very urgent for me as Medical problem to reach home in Durg City.( Chhattisgarh) pls make some way out I no many more people are stuck here and there in different states so pls it’s a request to think for us at the same time.
Thanks and Regards
Harjot
Sir,
I’m Arumugam from kovilpatti Tuticorin district Tamil Nadu. 9894960085
My family locked in Sri kalakasthi andrapradhesh and they suffered without money. I’m ready to pick up my family. So kindly give permission for Tamil Nadu to andrapradhesh to pick up my family.
Kindly help me both 2 state governments pl
Thanks
Arumugam M
We are stuck in durg and my husband in Varanasi. Kindly open way to go back home.
Sir Please open theka in Delhi
pl start flight atleast for 2 days
DEAR SIR AND TO WHOMEVER IT MAY CONCERN AS FAR AS I KNOW WHEN I CONTACTED BEFORE I LEFT MY HOME TO TRAVEL TO INDIA AT THE AIRPORT(SHRI CHATRAPATI SHIVAJI INT.) I HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE WOULD NOT BE ANY SITUATION OF BEING NOT SENT BACK HOME IN THIS COVID 19 SITUATION…SOME OF US LEFT OUR FAMILIES FAR BACK HOME…MILES AWAY, I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN BUT WE ARE ALSO HUMANS THAT NEED TO SERVE OUR STATE BECAUSE OF THE JOBS WE DO. I DEARLY REQUEST THAT ATLEAST BY END OF APRIL A FEW AIRLINES AT A TIME TO BE INCOMING AND OUTGOING TO REACH ITS PEOPLE TO THEIR FINAL RETURNING DESTINATIONS, OUR FAMILIES ARE SUFFERING WITHOUT US AS WELL ,WHILE OTHERS HAVE THE LUXURY AND THEIR PEOPLE HELPING THEM SOME OF US DON’T I URGE TO GO BACK HOME TO MY OWN SAFE ZONE WHERE MY FAMILY ARE!
I am stuck in pune..please allow airlines.i just want to go home i can’t concentrate on anything even on studies as well for god sake plzzz allow airlines and that is also on cheapest rate
JUST START THE FLIGHT SERVICE FOR GODS SAKE. My medicines are stuck in courier transit. You can’t start lock down if you inform in 4 hours. God, now they extended for 2 weeks and who knows when they will start the flights.
My daughter is now at Kota Rajasthan.please give me a permission to bring my daughter from Kota to west Bengal..She is a student .
Sir Namaste,
Thanks everyone
And thanks to the Government
That we are Safe at our home. But
My request to our government to think
about the needy people who are in can’t but
conditions. Please Help them Sir.
Sir, please open wine shops for 2-3 hours daily. It will help to cope with stress.
Dear sir,
Its been 25 days since I’m stuck here in chennai.
I have booked my train ticket from chennai to bangarpet on 15th of april .. I request you to please free us for Atleast 1/2 days with all the safety we will travel we kindly request you not to extend the lockdown for Atleast 1/2 days
Please allow private vehicles for one day my husband stuck in Punjab me and my two little kids are alone here…..
Stay at home, that was the tagline right, but what about the people who are miles away from Families form their homes… Just because the government is not organised, why we have to suffer… If we wold have been aware of such a long lock down we would have not left our home’s… It just happened suddenly…
So we where not prepared…
Now take our responsibility for god sake…
Stay at home, that’s what the government ment, but what about the people who aren’t home’s, away from families… And struggling like shit…
They just declared lockdown all of sudden, and we are now nowhere…
We need help…
We need to be at our home’s…
Dear government, get organized… Just because you are not organised, we have to face all these trouble…
At least let the flight be open, and with all the precautions make us go our home’s… We all will follow all the rules, has we have been following till now, since the date of the lockdown… But as the lockdown have increased, we have left with no choice… I’m stuck in my boutique, I have came here from Nagpur to Mumbai to pay to my staff the labours, and just that day it was declared to be lock down…
Please organise help for people like us as well… Please do not cancel the flights at least…
The decision of extending the lock down is very pathetic for those who are far away from their home Atlest some measures should be taken for people who are away from their home so that they reach home safely. I am stuck in Mumbai since a month now. I want to reach Nagpur asap. As I ma the only son of my widow mother and she surgery as her hipps bones has been cracked. I have booked ticket for 15 April. I urge my utmost request to take some steps so that at least the people who are away from their home can reach home safely. Atleast start the flight service or rail service only for one or two days for those who are away from home, the police officials can stay with such people till they reach home, so even if someone is affected measures can be taken then and there. Please do not stop the rail and air services after 14th April. It’s my humble request please please for sake of humanity.
Reply
Sir I hv stuck on Bihar with 2 children my husband is alone in Kanpur plz allowed any thing so dat i can go plz sir help me out
Are u all mad to issue tickets in railways if u are insisting lockdown again Pls sir let train services resume Our only son is locked down in kota His hostel has been shifted all of a sudden his phone got damaged Already we booked tickets on 117th April Pls resume train services He is in a hell like condition pls atleast allow the confirm ticket holders to travel pls think of us we will take care of all social distancing
please allow international flights for 2-3 days,My husband went on a business trip to UK ,He stuck there , I’m alone with two little kids struggling in Hyderabad during lockdow,All other countries are bringing back there citizens to home country,why India is not taking any measures to bring back the Indian citizens.
I am from Manipur and Iam here in delhi with my friends ( 4 of us) as we are not from a rich family we came here so that atleast we could earn our living but see govt just announced lockdown suddenly and now we are suffering here with no salary,no money to pay house rents,buy our daily needs and no one to help and not only me but there are thousands of people suffering like me and you are saying spend quality time with your family ,do exercise n eat healthy food stay healthy just imagine how is this possible for a poor people like me ,as an Indian citizens we are even following the
proper ruless of lockdown as well and now we were hoping to that govt will be organised and help us to reach our family but………………and i know most of us are trying to go back home after lockdown but here comes a tragedy again the flights fair is too high as well yaa those who are rich they can effort but what about a poor people like me how can we?This is my humble request to our honarable pm Modi and Manipur govt please consider and help us to reach our family and we agree to stay quarantine without any hesitation please helo us we really need your help please….
Sir please open for at aleat private vehicle my wife and two little children stuck in village in uttar Pradesh and very difficult life , I alone in worry bihar please issue pass
I am also facing the same my wife and mother in law is locked in small pg room I with my 4 year old kid in Lucknow not getting any help….
Yhh plZ they should understand..how we r out of home place n even since mid night of 23 rd March til today m stuck in Guwahati in an unknown person’s home….as it’s gonna be 14 th April soo plz .I request them atleast to let us go home who n all r stuck in very critical condition…plzzz
Dear sir I am stuck in mumbai I need to travel to pune we have followed the rules of lock down I have reserved ticket of 15 April
Atleast start the railway services after checking
And thermal scanning allow to travel.
Hello Government of India… I have done train booking For 15 April, will travel with all precautions. Please let us reach home, in stuck in mumbai with my kids. It’s just 3 hours train journey, please allow us to reach back home. My mother in law is on bed rest and my husband is all alone to take care of her. We need each other during this tough phase. Please help and don’t cancel interstate trains. Thank you.
Respected sir, please start atleast airways with all precautions like testing an all before person enter airport all if testing will be done through rapid test there and there doctors will know who are corona positive… And can send for quarantine… Please I with my 2 kids are stuck in banglore. My husband is stuck in village in UP…. Please open the lockdown at least for 2 to 3 days… We are in banglore… If he comes here he can work from home he is the only who earns for us… Please after 2 to 3 days can do lockdown till… How much need to extend….
Hello sir .. I’m from Mumbai
. .. I need to go to my parents as my husband doing quarrel and telling to go. .. I have one kid.. .. I booked tickets for may 2….can u pls show pity and give relaxation for 2 days after April 14 so that I go to my parents. .pls consider my request.. . Pls don’t delay.. .Else no other, way other than suicide. .. Thanks
Dear,
Everyone is going through these tough phase. Holding a breathe and easing the work of government is the best possible to remove this lockdown as soon as possible.. We are already facing so many deaths due to this pandemic and u r telling to suicide..think about ur child ..who like after it., u wouldn’t be there to take her care..to give her the pure love which is only given by a mother, u r such a brave woman u cant quit her life just for the sake of few days. I request you to not to lose hope..things were being managed before ur quarell with husband and so will after u r gone. What u will get..perhaps nothing..and the next person wont regret but the impact will be on ur child. So for at least him hold urself and please be patient in this critical situation. Trust the god everything will b fine with time..but this earth will really miss a brave woman..a strong mother…?
Government should allow 2 or 3 days to relaxation of lock down for those who are stuck far away from home. No food no money. Atlest there should be a hard check up in buses and trains.
Thank you.
Well i cant say i am stucked … I am a working professional …i am working at gurgaon and my home town is jharkhand … I am working from home in gurgaon itself … I want to work from home time since its very difficult for me to cook i hardly know anything to cook i need to purchase fro m swiggy which is not 100 percent safe please allow the people who want to go to their home for their sake … Not for any other people …….
Sir need your help for relaxation 2 to 3 days so that I can go to Kolkata from Cuttack where my family and my paralise mother are suffering.No guardian are not there. I am the only person.please look this matter . Sir I obey the rule and we sure that we will come back back very soon from this crisis.
Hi Team, am in 35week of pregnancy , I was suppose to travel to my home town from Chennai to managlore(karnataka) due to lockdown I was not able to travel.. Now I have booked air tickets for my parents on 16th from Banglore to Chennai and am staying alone with my husband and my 7year old son… I don’t have anyone to take care here.. Am in early stage of pregnancy. Please provide some relax period of 3-5 days and also please allow the flight service which will be very helpful for those in needy.
Request to understand the situation and help the public.
Please allow international flights for those who are stuck here in India , also allow domestic flights for those who have to connect to international flight only . We are in great distress , I need to travel urgently with my 3 year old daughter to reunite with my family . You don’t even have any idea what we are going through ..kindly open air travel
Sir pls give 1 or 2 days of relaxation time after April 14th.I want go my native gokarna i stuck up in Bangalore.we are a student we don’t have a money for Survival.
Sir plz give us 2 or 3 days to go back to our home my wife stuck in kolkata n my son is asking about her mumma my son only 6 y old so plz sir do something for us
I am at kolkata and I need to reach Pune ,I have done my tickets for 16th April. Please allow us to reach our homes and stamp us with quarantine and extend lockdowns. But allow us to be with our loved ones. I am stranded here and I have all my working essential documents at pune ,which is my workplace,I am not being able to work and I fear I might get terminated .kindly help us reach our homes . Please do something
Hello sir,my husband and neice are stucked in Banglore all alone ,due to this lockdown of 21 days,ones their tickets are cancelled. So respecting the lockdown ,we have booked the tickets on 15 th April.So it’s a humble request before suspending any flights post 14 April ,atleast give 2to 3 days of relaxation .so that people can come to their family in this crisis period.So please sir kinldy consider this request .
sir plz I am stuck in Hyderbad I just wanted to go home after 21 days of Lockdown plz sir just allow us for 3 days in which we can go home plz. The government should inform that it is going to be Lockdown.
Sir please start courier services i have my things stuck there and will damage if i don’t receive them …. Its been 20 days I havent recieved my things bcz of the lockdown so plz start courier services ??
I came to India for some emergency, now stuck here, already lost my job in Canada and we really want to go back to canada,our flight tickets already got cancelled twice now its booked for 18th via Doha. Please open flights for few days with strict precaution and screening like other countries.Its very stressful condition , away from work from family taking toll on mental health.
Please relax the lockdown with strong measures
I am stuck in Bangalore with 2 kids and my husband is stuck in Ap , we have to go back to our house in Hyderabad.request authority to give a 2 days relaxation before the extension of lockdown.
The cyclic way of lockdown is more beneficial , also their is a air and fresh ness in people to fight the disease.
Yes government has to be relax time to go back to there native places. At least for a week. Then let government takes its own time Ajith Hyderabad.
Sir, please give us relaxation of 2 days atleast to reach to my home place in same state. I am satying alone away from family and need to go back . I plead to u.
What we did is just pressed upon a panic button and left people stranded as it is. Let the people move into their respective regions and then shutdown for 2-3 months. Unplanned situation is creating more danger and vulnerablity to people who have been to their workplace city. Think for the people who are out their living their life with limited resources.