Karnataka seeks fewer flights from high-Covid states
Curbs imposed on road entry into Karnataka, says minister
SWR yet to hear from state govt on Maharashtra train ban
BENGALURU:
Karnataka has requested the Civil Aviation Ministry to reduce the number of flights emanating from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, in view of the high number of Covid-19 cases prevalent in those states. (See Chief Minister’s tweet)
In a clarification on Thursday evening, Law Minister J C Madhuswamy said Karnataka had not sought a ban on flights from these states as reported by some sections of the media.
Karnataka has urged the Centre to reduce air traffic to the state because it feels its quarantine facilities may not be able to cope with a huge number of arrivals, the minister said. With the same concerns in mind, restrictions have been imposed on people coming by road from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, he added.
Earlier on Thursday, the state cabinet had reportedly decided not to allow a single train from Maharashtra to enter Karnataka for the next 15 days. The Law Minister is reported to have indicated that people from the 5 states would be restricted from entering Karnataka via air, rail and road for the next 15 days.
We hereby clarify that there is no ban on flights and trains to Karnataka. But we have requested the Central govt to restrict the number of flights from high risk states.
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) May 28, 2020
While entry by road stays prohibited, trains that are already running will continue to do so.
SWR’s Divisional Railway Manager Ashok Kumar Verma told thebengalurulive that they were yet to get an official intimation from the state government on stopping Maharashtra trains from entering Karnataka. “We will intimate the railway board and the MHA when we get an official letter from the state government,” he said, adding that for the next two days there are no trains to and from Maharashtra.
Another railway official said the railways are running trains as advised by Karnataka.
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