CM sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in the situation when the state is battling the dual crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic and the trail of destruction left behind by Cyclone Amphan. She urged the Centre not to pursue politics and wisely act on shramik special trains.
WATCH REPORT | Mamata Banerjee Attacks Rail Ministry Over Shramik Special Trains To West Bengal
“They can disturb me politically, why are they causing harm to state. I request PM Modi and Home Minister to look into sending of Shramik trains so that there is no spike in Covid-19 cases in Bengal,” Banerjee said.
According to the reports, a total of 225 trains are expected to arrive in Bengal from across India. Of these, 41 trains will be commencing from Maharashtra towards West Bengal.
West Bengal government fears an explosion in coronavirus cases in the state as Maharashtra has continued to be the state with the maximum number of coronavirus patients. Bengal has till date reported 4009 cases with 283 deaths. The state has over 1400 active cases, which might increase sharply once all the trains arrive.
Mamata Banerjee-led government has also accused the railways of not practicing social distancing in the trains, even though the states are paying the bill. "We are paying for tickets. But why so many passengers in the coaches? You are evacuating Maharashtra and spreading corona to Bengal," CM Mamata said.
An NDTV report has mentioned that already, areas in the north and central parts of the state -- Malda, Murshidabad and North Dinajpur -- where migrants are making their way, have started reporting a jump in cases despite the arrival of only 19 trains so far. More than 200 of the Shramik special trains are yet to arrive.