Thread by @someshjha7

THREAD When the nature changes its course, migratory birds travel miles, in search of resources, either for nesting or food. They often move in unison. A similar pattern was seen in India's national capital New Delhi on Saturday - not in the skies but down below. #CoronaLockdown

As soon as word spread that inter-state services are going to take passengers to U.P., migrants gathered in thousands to reach the Anand Vihar bus terminal in the hope of reaching home. #MigrantsOnTheRoad

There was an evident coordination between the govts in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh & at the Centre. Delhi's state-owned buses took the migrant workers to the Anand Vihar bus station so that they do not have to walk till there. Delhi Police ensured people take the buses and not walk.

The eyes of the workers lit up with each passing bus on the roads of Delhi, which they thought would he the one taking them closer to their destination, to their homes.

But why are the workers leaving their place of work in cities to go back to villages? I met a group of workers who pointed to a shortage of cash, resources and no social security cover as some reasons for not staying back.

Citizens came out to support the workers and distributed water and food. A bit on them. #CoronaLockdown

Some volunteers who spoke to the migrants also said that the workers have lost their source of income and living in cities would be a double whammy during the pandemic. #COVID19outbreak

"We saw on the news that our workers are facing problems... they are getting tired by covering miles on foot and they don't have food or water. We decided to offer help." #CoronaUpdate

Then came the Anand Vihar bus station (not far away from the UP border). As you can see thousands of workers lined up in search of a bus that will take them home. #coronaupdatesindia

I met a casual worker who said he was travelling to Etawah in Uttar Pradesh as he has no money to pay the house rent.

"I have been living in Delhi since last 5 years. I kept shifting my base according to my work site. We thought lockdown was for a day then it was extended for 21 days. We followed rules but now we are left with no money. The contractor (employer) is also not picking up calls."

Every passenger was screened at the bus station #COVID2019

Satish Kumar, an unskilled construction worker, met me at the bus station at around 2.30 pm. He had started on foot from his place of residence in Delhi at 8 am with his family, including a 3-yr-old kid. "I am even ready to walk 500 kilometers till Lucknow."

Buses were packed. People were willing to travel on the roof top as they were desperate to go back home.

I asked: When the government has advised people not to travel and stay wherever they are, why did they still want to go? Listen to their response. "The government should have screened the rich who travelled from abroad, carrying this virus. Now, we, the poor, are suffering."

Multiple bus services were lined up for UP but it took hours for a bus to start plying.

But for some, walking back home nor taking a bus is not an option. Meet 40-year-old Gulal Mandal from Malda, West Bengal (1400 kilometers away). "Bengal bohot door hain (Bengal is too far)...Tell me how should I go? My family is also crying."

Thread ends.

Fighting Covid-19: After the long walk, jobless migrants head home
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