Repeat of 2020? Unable to survive in Mumbai amid Covid restrictions, migrants start to return home

The rising coronavirus cases in Maharashtra, combined with increasing restrictions, are bringing back memories of 2020 when thousands of migrant labourers were seen struggling to return to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and other states. 

“For some days I was getting food and for other days I wasn’t. The condition was again getting bad. The office I was working in, said since everyone is working from home we don’t need you here. But we will call you when we start office again. After waiting for a few days and getting no other work, I decided to return to my hometown in Bihar,” said Balram Kumar. Balram, who is 18 years old, hails from Madhubani in Bihar. Balram has again returned to Mumbai in search of work, but is on the verge of going back to his native state, again. Taking to India Today TV, he said that he was supported by his family. “Working as an office boy in Churchgate, I am getting Rs 8,000 per month but now as there is again no work. My family insists that I return home. They said you will die there alone. So I am going back. If I get a call from the office, I will return,” he said.