Migrants fear 2020 replay if lockdown extended
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, a large number of migrant labourers gathered at bus stations, on Tuesday, to go to their homes from the city fearing the shutdown of the public transport may force them to walk hundreds of kilometres.
Last year, hundreds of migrant labourers had left the city on foot in the absence of public transport during the lockdown.
On Tuesday, scores of migrant labourers were seen at Anand Vihar ISBT, Kashmere Gate, New Delhi railway stations, and Kaushambi bus depot. The officials at the bus stands and railway station were seen making several announcements and asking people to wear masks, regularly sanitise themselves, and maintain social distancing.
Chandan Siroj, a native of Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh, said that during the last lockdown, he travelled in a truck to reach his home.
“We were stuck for over one month here last year during the lockdown. The food was not an issue, but we were scared for our lives. We reached Jaunpur after travelling in a truck. We came back around two months ago.
“On Monday, we told our employer that we are leaving for Jaunpur and requested him for some money. He only gave `500 to us each. It’s not going to be the same this year, nobody will help,” Mr Siroj said, who works along with his four friends from Jaunpur at a factory in North Delhi’s Anand Parbat area.
Dharamvir Singh, a native of Akbarpur near Lucknow, was looking for a bus to his hometown. He, however, had different reasons to go home.
“I work as a carpenter in West Delhi’s Subhash Nagar. I have to go to my hometown as my sister is getting married next week. Earlier, I was planning to go there this weekend. But after the lockdown was announced by the government, my family told me to come as soon as possible. I somehow reached Anand Vihar to board a bus till Lucknow,” he said.
“I hope the situation does not deteriorate as I have to return to earn my livelihood. We will be again out of work and there will again be a crisis,” he added.
At Kaushambi bus stand, a bus conductor said they have instructions that there should not be many passengers inside the bus and that they have to maintain social distancing.
Deepak Kumar, an e-rickshaw driver at Dilshad Garden, said he is not leaving for his hometown now but he is having trouble making ends meet as he is not getting many passengers. “We are barely getting one or two passengers. It will become difficult to survive as my family’s financial condition is not good. I am not going back home because I have to earn a livelihood and send money but what will I do if I don’t get any passengers due to lockdown?” he wondered.
Geeta Kumari, a migrant daily wager from Nepal, fears that it will be a repeat of last year.
“What if the lockdown is extended? What if they completely stop construction activities for a longer period? What will we eat then? Last time we waited for the situation to get better but ultimately had to go back home anyway,” she said while waiting for her family members at Kaushambi bus depot.
“I have seven members in my family, including a senior citizen. During the last lockdown, we went to Nepal after the situation became worse. We returned around four to five months ago. We work as daily labourers and do not have work due to the ongoing situation. We have no work back in our native place so we will have to come back but we’re not sure when as the lockdown could be extended,” she said.