Himachal Pradesh nodal officers get more requests from stranded

CHANDIGARH: After five marathon evacuation exercises by the Himachal Pradesh government to take the stranded natives back home from the Tricity of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali during the lockdown period, there are many who have missed the bus. The nodal officers, who have been tasked with evacuation of the stranded people in Tricity, are still receiving calls from people who want to go home.
“We are receiving calls from Mohali and Panchkula, from people wanting to go back.They call up and ask when the next bus will be going from here to Himachal. Not thousands, but hundreds are still stuck here. We have been receiving calls on a daily basis,” Rajiv Kumar, one of the nodal officers, told TOI.
However, he added, after relaxations were announced during lockdown hours, many seem to be having second thoughts as the number of calls received has dwindled. “As the officials in Chandigarh are easing the restrictions, people are beginning to consider staying back,” he added.
A scrutiny of the data provided by the officials reveals that 3,945 people who were stuck in the Tricity due to the Covid-19 lockdown have been sent back to Himachal in a course of five trips.
Mahendra, another nodal officer, told TOI that they have also been receiving calls from people who have their own vehicles for movement passes. “As it is not in our hands, we direct them to contact the DC office for the same and give them all the required information,” he said. On an average, there are 20 calls a day, he said. “Around 90% of the people (stranded) have already gone back. Some are not going due to the fear of 14-day-quarantine,” he added.