The Assam government may soon allow a “one-time” intra-state travel for people stuck in other districts to return home. A decision may be announced on April 21 depending on the situation, health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Sarma, who visited Diphu Medical College and Hospital in Karbi Anglong on Friday to take stock of Covid-19 arrangements, said, “Many students from Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao are stranded in different parts of the state. We will allow one-time movement so that they can return to their hometown and for those who have to resume office in Guwahati. We will soon announce the day as the situation improves.”

“Many from one district of Assam are stuck in another district within the state. First, we are thinking of allowing them to reach their homes and those who have to resume office in Guwahati. But once they reach their destinations, they will not be allowed to travel more. We will come up with a proper plan shortly. But only if everything goes fine,” he said.

The next big challenge, he said, would be inflow of the “second wave” of people, currently stranded outside the state.

Estimated to be around 10-12 lakh, these people are eagerly waiting to return to their native places. The helpline introduced by the state health department recently for its people stranded in other parts of the country has already registered calls from over 4 lakh families, Sarma said.

“If there are at least 3-4 members in each family, then the number of people stranded in other parts of the country will be around 10-12 lakh. If Covid does not end in India soon, and all these people come from the areas including many hotspots, then we will have to face a new situation. The second phase will be difficult for us,” he said.

The minister had earlier said that around 70,000 people came into the state ahead of the first phase of lockdown that began from the midnight of March 24.

A majority of these people, who were kept in quarantine centres then, have since been released after showing no signs of infection.

Assam has so far recorded 34 positive cases, all of which, except one, were connected to the Tablighi Jamaat of Nizamuddin in Delhi. Out of the total cases, nine recovered patients have been released.

Sarma said the government would soon come up with an action plan as it has got the names of the people through database. “Now it will be convenient for us to plan quarantine and other necessary arrangements for them,” he added.

Those stranded outside the state include students, private employees, pilgrims, travellers, medical patients, migrant labourers. The government had recently announced help, including financial aid, for them. A plan to bring them back batch-wise has also being discussed.

In Karbi Anglong, the minister was accompanied by minister of state for health and family welfare Pijush Hazarika and the chief executive member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Tuliram Ronghang. He interacted with doctors, nurses and health officials to check and review the preparedness for Covid-19 treatment.

The Dima Hasao district administration has asked the people to submit the names of family members who are stranded in other parts of the state and the country.

Later, Sarma visited Golaghat where four Covid patients were released after testing negative.

Sonowal dials Conrad: On Friday evening, chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal spoke to his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad K. Sangma over phone and requested him to ensure hassle-free transportation of vehicles carrying essential commodities from Guwahati to the Barak Valley and vice versa through Meghalaya. Essentials to Barak Valley by road have to be sent through Meghalaya.

“A helping hand from the authorities of Meghalaya enables the Assam government to reach out to the people of Barak Valley faster. Sangma assured Sonowal of taking adequate steps for ensuing seamless transportation of essential commodities through Meghalaya without any disruption,” the Assam CMO said.

Sonowal on Friday called several eminent personalities from different walks of life of the state belonging to Barak, Brahmaputra, hills and plains.

He greeting them on the occasion of Rongali Bihu and Assamese new year and spoke to them on the prevailing situation in the state.

Additional reporting by Ritupallab Saikia in Golaghat and Suroj Barman in Haflong