70 MSRTC buses leave for Kota to bring 1,780 students back

Seventy buses belonging to the MSRTC left Dhule district for Kota in Rajasthan on Wednesday afternoon to bring back students from Maharashtra stranded due to the nationwide Lockdown. State transport minister Anil Parab told TOI that around 1,780 students hailing from various districts are in Kota and they will be brought back in a couple of days.
Sources from MSRTC said that the buses left at noon and will reach Kota late on Wednesday night. “We plan to commence the return journey on Thursday and if everything goes well, the students may be back in Maharashtra by late Thursday evening or night,” said an official, adding that the students will then be transported to their respective districts in the state.

On return, the students are likely to undergo a medical check-up and would be asked to follow a mandatory 14-day home quarantine, sources said.
MSRTC will maintain social distancing while transporting students. This will be ensured by a few government officers who have been sent in the buses. Every bus will have two drivers so one can take rest while the other is driving. The buses will have 2-3 food/toilet breaks en route for the benefit of students. The travel time between Kota and Dhule is around 12 hours, an official said, adding the department has also sent a breakdown-maintenance vehicle along with the buses.

Courtesy: TOI