Thread 👇#Lockdown
India is on the brink of another humanitarian crisis even as it is grappling with the mass exodus of migrant workers. Lakhs of truck drivers are stuck in limbo, stranded on the roads in abysmal conditions without food or shelter as no movement is being allowed.
India is on the brink of another humanitarian crisis even as it is grappling with the mass exodus of migrant workers. Lakhs of truck drivers are stuck in limbo, stranded on the roads in abysmal conditions without food or shelter as no movement is being allowed.
More than 6 lakh registered trucks are stranded across the country, actual numbers maybe even more. I visit the largest transport hub in Asia—Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar. These drivers have been stranded for more than 10 days now with nowhere to go. Listen to what they say
Swamped in close quarters with no permission to move, the drivers are living with an eminent fear of either contracting the virus or dying of hunger. "Corona chodhho banda bhook se hi mar jayega," one driver says. #LockdownWithoutPlan #COVID2019
Drivers have no shelter apart from a 4x6 ft cabin where they are stuck the whole day without toilets, basic amenities or dignity. Social distancing is a privilege they can't afford. #LockdownWithoutPlan #COVID2019
About 1500-2000 labourers who were not allowed to cross the borders by the state police have also taken refuge at here. A woman carrying a 1 year old said she had planned to walk all the way to Hardoi, UP but the cops didn't allow her to cross the border. She has no where to go.
"People have come here to hide from the police as they get attacked. They have no place to go and no money. They're hiding here with toddlers. What will they do." #LockdownWithoutPlan
Neither the state government nor the centre have provided any relief. There is no provision of even a water tanker here, they say. "Aise toh aadmi waise hi bimaar padh jayenge." @AamAadmiParty @ArvindKejriwal #LockdownWithoutPlan #Covid_19india
Now, the lockdown has hampered the supply chain as lakhs of trucks carrying essential commodities. A threat of shortage of essential goods looms as the supply logjam continues. #LockdownWithoutPlan #Covid_19india
Their biggest worry—drivers cannot leave crores worth of consignment and flee as it might be stolen, some have even left their trucks midway and fled on on foot in sheer desperation. #LockdownWithoutPlan #Covid19India
More details tomorrow on this ill-planned lockdown and what impact it will have on the country.
Thread ends. #LockdownWithoutPlan
Thread ends. #LockdownWithoutPlan
Btw, no one from the Delhi government has come to check on this person yet. Apart from a call, no one has checked. Please do: @ArvindKejriwal, @AAPAjeshYadav
