The Center authorized certain flights to operate during the fourth lockout phase. (File)
New Delhi:
Ten migrant workers will fly to Bihar tomorrow, thanks to their employer, a Delhi farmer, who sponsors their plane tickets.
Their flight to Patna will leave tomorrow at 6 am and from there they will go to their village of Samastipur.
“I never imagined in my life that I would travel by plane. I have no words to express my happiness. But I am also a little worried about what to do when we arrive at the airport tomorrow” said Lakhinder Ram. , who will return with his son, said.
He is grateful to Pappan Singh, a mushroom producer from the village of Tigipur in Delhi, who helps them.
Thousands of migrant workers have traveled on the roads, on foot, by bicycle or by hitchhiking on trucks, to reach their homes since the national closure was imposed on March 25 to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
When Mr. Lakhinder, 50, called his wife to tell him that he would be leaving for Bihar on a flight, he said that she did not believe him.
He has worked with his employer for 27 years and his son Naveen Ram has worked for eight years.
Lakhinder said the farmer has been taking care of his food and shelter since the isolation began on March 25.
Mr. Pappan said that he had reserved tickets worth 68,000 rupees and that he also gave each one 3,000 rupees in cash so that they would have no problem when they reach their home state. .
He will also drop off all his workers in his vehicles at IGI airport early Thursday while respecting social distancing standards.
“These 10 workers are said to have left for their homes in Bihar in the first week of April on the train, but were unable to go due to the blockage,” said Pappan.
He said that he had made several attempts to send them back to their country of origin on a special Shramik train, but that he had failed.
“I could not have taken a risk by allowing my workers to walk thousands of kilometers because it would have put their lives at risk because we are learning these days that migrants encounter road accidents on the way home “, did he declare.
Mr. Pappan stated that he had completed all of his medical formalities, in accordance with the specified requirements, so that they had a safe return journey.
“Certificates of medical fitness have been issued by the authorities to the 10 workers and they are fit to travel by plane,” he said.
