April 20, 2021
3 mins read

Migrants once again queue up to head home

Last year, hundreds of migrant labourers had left the city on foot in the absence of public transport during the lockdown…reports Asian Lite News.

As Delhi went into a six-day lockdown amid the deteriorating COVID-19 situation, hundreds of migrant workers thronged at the Anand Vihar Bus Terminal on Monday evening to board the buses for their native places.

After the Delhi government imposed a week long lockdown from Monday night to curb the spike in Covid cases, in a replay of last year’s migrants crisis, a large number of people gathered at bus stations here on Tuesday to flee from the city, fearing the shutdown of the public transport may force them to walk hundreds of kilometers.

Last year, hundreds of migrant labourers had left the city on foot in the absence of public transport during the lockdown.

Hundreds of people including children, women and elderly queued up at Rajiv Chowk, Sector-12, Sector-34, Khandsa and Sector-37 bus stations on Tuesday with their belongings to head home leaving their jobs and employment back in the city.

Ram Lal, a migrant labourer waiting for a bus at the bus stand, told IANS, “I am going to the village in Bihar due to the lockdown, how can the poor man give rent and survive without earning. Due to lockdown in Delhi maximum employees of our company are working from home but we are helpers, we have no such facilities. Our company has been closed. I have to take care of my family. I will not come back here now.”

Migrants gather in huge numbers at anand vihar railway station as delhi government announced curfew till 26 April. (Pallav Paliwal)

Tulsi Kumar, another migrant labourer told, “I am going to my village in Uttar Pradesh. After the lockdown, work will be stopped, then how will I take care of myself and my family. I will come back after the situation becomes normal.”

The labourers could be seen at several bus stops across the city. At Sector-12 bus stop where only one bus heads towards Madhya Pradesh before the lockdown in Delhi, now after the lockdown four buses are heading for Madhya Pradesh.

Migrants gather in huge numbers at anand vihar railway station as delhi government announced curfew till 26 April. (Pallav Paliwal)

“We are paying Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 for our destination which is a huge amount, but we have no other option but to pay this amount as I just want to reach my native place at any cost rather than stay here without any work,” Rawal Singh told.

Like them, many others from various parts of the city are heading to the bus stands from where they will catch a bus to their villages.

However, majority of them said, this time corona fear is not in their mind, the only thing in their mind is how to reach home without walking on foot.

Migrants gather in huge numbers at anand vihar railway station as delhi government announced curfew till 26 April. (Pallav Paliwal)

It is estimated that nearly 20 per cent of labourers from Gurugram have left the district.

“The spike in Covid-19 cases is a worrisome concern for us but the lockdown in Delhi has panicked workers despite our request they are not ready to stay here. This will affect the industries a lot. Hundreds of workers have already left the city and more are going back. The industries are now facing labour crunch which will cause delays in productions,” Aman Khanna, an owner of an automobile unit told.

Also Read-Covid surge: India on UK’s red list

Read More-Manmohan Singh tests Covid positive, admitted to AIIMS

Previous Story

India, US team up for Afghan stability

Next Story

Health infra creaks as Covid-19 cases cross 2 million mark

Latest from India News

Khalistan Network Under Fire in Canada

Indian agencies regularly share intelligence with their Canadian counterparts, including on groups like Babbar Khalsa International, but the current focus is firmly on SFJ….reports Asian Lite News The arrest of Inderjeet Singh

India, France Hold Nuclear Talks

The meeting, held on Monday, reviewed progress in bilateral civil nuclear cooperation and explored avenues to deepen the strategic partnership…reports Asian Lite News India and France convened the second meeting of their

EU’s Kallas Calls India ‘Reliable’ Partner

The EU said its closer partnership with India is increasingly becoming vital in the wake of the shifting geopolitical realities…reports Asian Lite News European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas has reaffirmed that

Rubio Calls India ‘Critical’ to US

Rubio “expressed his appreciation for the Indian government’s continued engagement on a number of issues including trade…reports Asian Lite News US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described India as “critically important”
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Piyush Goyal flags off G20 run in Delhi

Speaking on the occassion, Lithuania Ambassador Diana Mickeviciene appealed to

Prince Charles’ Charity British Asian Trust Seeks ‘Oxygen For India’

British Asian Trust’s ‘Oxygen For India’ emergency appeal will raise