Migrant Workers Repack Bags In Delhi, Maharashtra. Are We Staring At Another Migrant Distress?

Amidst lockdown fears triggered by the imposition of night curfew in the national capital Delhi following a surge in COVID-19 cases, several migrant workers were seen leaving Delhi and heading towards their native places.

Speaking to ANI, Pintu, a dry fruits seller at Anand Vihar Bus Terminal said, "Delhi is witnessing a sharp rise in COVID cases. Due to this, a night curfew has been imposed in the city. It is very likely that the government will impose a lockdown soon. Hence, I along with my family are going back to Jharkhand."

Parmila Devi, another tea-seller told ANI, " My family and I are going back to our village in Jharkhand. We want to avoid a situation like the previous lockdown. It is very likely that a lockdown will be put due to COVID. We will come back when the situation normalises."

Some workers said they do not get stuck in a city again and therefore, going back to their native places seems to be the right move.

The Delhi government on Tuesday imposed a night curfew in the national capital from 10 pm to 5 am. The order will be imposed with immediate effect till April 30.

Migrant workers in Maharashtra wait for trains back home

Amidst the fear of losing their livelihood, migrant workers in Maharashtra are flocking to railway stations to return to their hometowns.?

With night curfews, stringent daytime restrictions and a weekend lockdown imposed across the state, migrants from different parts of India are in a state of semi-panic, as daily new infections in the state soar in the half-lakh-plus range.

The new COVID-19 protocol in the state has shut non-essential businesses till April 30, which has left several street vendors jobless.

File Photo

Many people are also seen camping outside railway stations, eager to get a confirmed ticket to their hometown, mostly in states like UP, MP or Bihar.

Reports suggest all trains to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are booked for the next few days.

In order to cater to the steady increase in the number of migrants planning to head back home, the Central Railway on Wednesday announced three special trains and also increased the frequency of trains heading to North India.