The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation or MSRTC, India's second biggest fleet owner, has ferried over 21,000 migrants and their families in 1,169 buses between May 9 and 11. The migrants we’re either dropped off at the state's border or those waiting at the borders were brought home.

State transport commissioner Shekhar Channe said that the service has been put on hold and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation buses will now be used to transport migrant workers to the state border.

“The MSRTC buses will only focus on transporting migrant workers up to state borders. While the details are being worked out, the service will be free for migrant labourers. Their home state will have to prepare for their travel further,” said Channe.

Since the lockdown was imposed several migrant labourers have been seen walking towards their respective hometowns. Though the railways started special trains to ferry them home, still thousands we’re seen walking on the highways and rail tracks. To end this ordeal the Thane police and ST administration set up 15 pick up points from where they can be taken to the state border in buses.

A thane police officer said, “We stop the migrants on their way and ask them to sit for a while. After thermal screening, we make groups of 25 and ask them to board the buses arranged in coordination with the ST department.”

State Transport Minister Anil Parab said the buses will run non-stop and only halt at ST depots for toilet breaks, and will not even halt for food. “People travelling a long distance must make their own arrangements for food as the bus will not stop anywhere for this purpose,” he said.

People from the same district can form groups of 22 and a common application via an appointed group leader with the local police in case of urban areas or with the local tehsildar in rural areas. “The application will be sent to the nodal officer of the district they want to go to for approval. Once the nodal officer gives permission, the group will be told the details of their bus,” Mr. Parab said.