Gaya pilgrims on their way back to Madurai

Gaya pilgrims on their way back to Madurai

They got stuck while touring the north

15/05/2020, STAFF REPORTER,MADURAI

There is relief at last for the 22 senior citizens from Madurai who were stranded in Gaya in Bihar and their family members. Following a medical check-up, they were handed the travel e-pass and are now on their way to Madurai by road.

Members of Madurai District Legal Services Authority, who are monitoring the status of the senior citizens, said that they left Gaya on Wednesday and were expected to reach Madurai on Friday. They were travelling in two buses.

The senior citizens were on a pilgrimage to north India when everything came to a standstill following the COVID-19 lockdown. Unable to hurry back home, they started to develop mental health problems. The family members sought the help of DLSA-Madurai to get in touch with the pilgrims.

The DLSA was informed that the senior citizens were provided food and shelter by the Nattukottai Nagarathar Chathiram in Gaya. DLSA Madurai was in constant touch with DLSA Gaya to ensure a continuous monitoring. The pilgrims tested negative for COVID-19. On their arrival to the city, they will be taken to Government Rajaji Hospital for screening. Following this, they will be asked to remain in home quarantine for two weeks.

The family members heaved a sigh of relief on hearing that the stranded pilgrims were provided the e-pass. They said that though they were in touch with the senior citizens over phone, being away from home had taken a toll on their mental health and they longed to get back home.