Fearing lockdown, Gurugram migrants head for villages

Sumedha Sharma

Tribune News Service

Gurugram, January 11

As the Covid crisis continues to deepen and restrictions turn stringent, migrants have started leaving the city fearing a lockdown.

Gurugram has been reporting over 2,000 cases daily since last few days and several parts, including prominent high-rises, have been converted into containment zones.

The rising numbers have led to panic as migrants fear job loss and getting stuck in lockdown. They are thus making a beeline to their home towns. Be it domestic helps, roadside vendors, construction workers or other daily wagers, a majority of migrants, primarily hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal, are seen crowding bus stands and other transit points, jostling to leave the city. The rush is higher during night hours when private buses are more operational.

“The society where I used to work has been locked down after several cases surfaced. I have no job or money left. I got a message on my phone that borders may be shut again. So, I am taking my family back home and will return once the situation gets normal,” said Savita, a cook from UP. She boarded a bus with her three children and husband from Rajiv Chowk.

“Last time, too, they had said there will be no lockdown. But everything was shut and we were left high and dry. Had to borrow money... can’t take chances again. We will be moving to Bengal in a special bus tonight,” said Jameel Khan, a roadside tailor.

The panic and the exodus have left city shop owners harried. “All barbers of my saloon are from Aligarh and want to leave by weekend. I have tried reasoning with them, offered them a place to stay but to no avail,” quipped Rehman, owner of Chaand saloon in Sanjay Gram area.

The local industries too have started reporting exodus and are making arrangements for their workers to stay on factory premises. “A majority of my workforce comes from Kapasehra in Delhi and 10 per cent did not report for work today. We are yet to recover from earlier losses and the fresh exodus will hit us hard again,” said Rahul Chaudhary, a garment factory owner.

The local administration has, meanwhile, issued a warning against spreading rumours on social media. “There are restrictions, but no lockdown has been imposed. The people shouldn’t believe in rumours,” said Deputy Commissioner Dr Yash Garg.

In panic mode

• Fearing job losses and lockdown, migrants have started heading home again
• Sustaining without job and money won’t be possible, they argue
• Gurugram has been witnessing over 2,000 Covid cases daily