Researchers urge govt to create common data portal for migrants' travel

There is an urgent need to streamline information on inter-state travel as data collected from various state portals revealed variation, said a group of researchers, professionals and civil society members representing stranded migrant workers.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) ordered a standard operating protocol on Monday, as train services resumed for passengers after nearly two months on Tuesday. However, the researchers pointed out, there is wide confusion among workers, despite the railways running Shramik Special trains to ferry them home since May 1.

In a letter to the MHA secretary on Monday, the researchers urged the government to create