MSRTC conductor dies of COVID after returning from Mumbai

Aurangabad, April 26:

A 49-year-old conductor from Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) who returned on completion of Mumbai duty eight days ago died of COVID on Monday.

According to details, the conductor Sheknath Shankar Shirsath was working with Sillod depot of MSRTC.

He was sent to Mumbai for BEST bus duty on April 10.

He returned to the district on April 18 and his test was carried out on April 19. Sheknath was detected pandemic positive on April 20. He underwent treatment at Sillod for four days. When his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to a private hospital in Aurangabad.

He died today while undergoing treatment. MSRTC division controller Arun Siya said that the required help was provided to the conductor by the administration.

Vijay Kalam, one of the relatives of the deceased, said that he did not get a ventilator in the city.

“He was given oxygen, but he died. ST employees are being sent to Mumbai for duty. The life of such employees is at risk,” he said.

Babasaheb Salunke (division president, ST Kamgar Sanghatna) said that the drivers and conducts from other divisions, except Aurangabad, are not sent to Mumbai for duty now.

He demanded that this should stop as employees are dying of pandemic virus and they should be given Rs 50 lakh insurance cover.