4000 stranded JK residents arrive by train; 1500 by road

Jammu: Since the arrival of special trains, over 4000 residents of the UT stranded in other states amid Covid-19 pandemic, have de-boarded at Jammu Tawi Railway Station. Another 1500 have arrived in Jammu district by road via Lakhanpur and Thandi-Khui.
About 700 passengers belonging to Districts of Jammu, Samba and Kathua were also routed through District Jammu after they de-boarded at Udhampur Railway Station. Such huge influx of people in a short span of time and especially at a time of Covid-19 pandemic posed a great challenge before the district administration. To meet this challenge, District administration led by Deputy Commissioner Sushma Chouhan has put in place clear SOPs to ensure the safe return of the incoming residents to their homes
As per the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare all the passengers reaching the district from other States are being tested for COVID-19 and are being administratively quarantined till the results of the tests are received.
The District Administration Jammu is ensuring that 100 percent of the passengers entering Jammu from Railway Station Jammu Tawi are tested for COVID-19.
Various District-wise bays have been set-up at the Railway Station itself for facilitating the testing process. Besides, breakfast and tea is also being provided to the passengers arriving at the Railway Station to facilitate them while they wait for their turn for sample collection.
The district administration has gone out of way to provide an elaborate transport system to ensure orderly exit of the passengers. All the passengers are lined up in an orderly manner following social distancing norms and seated in the buses to their respective destinations.
With regard to administrative quarantine facilities, District Administration has set-up quarantine facilities for more than 5000 passengers at various Government buildings where necessary arrangement of bedding and lodging have been put in place. Various Senior Officers have been assigned the charge of facilitating the inmates in these administrative quarantine facilities. All efforts are being made to ensure that basic facilities are provided at these quarantine facilities. Elaborate arrangements have also been made for providing meals through various caterers at these quarantine facilities.
District administration has also started paid quarantine facilities for the passengers at various Hotels in Jammu for those who want to avail single room facility during the quarantine period.