200 migrant workers marooned near Undri

Mostly from UP, many don’t have enough essential rations to survive the lockdown period

Nearly one lakh construction workers are stuck in the city due to the lockdown according to information from the labour department.

While some of them have been shifted to labour camps or shelter homes, there are still large numbers who are not part of any camp while government aid is yet to reach them.

In this category is a group of nearly 200 workers from Uttar Pradesh who are staying in and around Undri, all of whom are suffering due to a lack of essential rations to survive the remaining days under lockdown. Some of them even stated that they do not have enough to survive beyond three to four days.

Dharmadev Choudhary, from Ghazipur district of Uttar Pradesh, works here as a fabricator. He told Mirror, “We have rations, but only to survive for two to three days. We do not have money to buy more rations. Now how to survive here is the biggest question in front of us.”

The workers stated that they have been out of work since March 17 when the state government clamped down on such activities. Since then, they are staying at home with dwindling resources and without much cash in hand. Lakshman Nishad, one of the workers, told Mirror, “Since our families are in Uttar Pradesh, we have been sending a large portion of our earnings there and keep a small amount with us. Now, the cash flow has stopped after the work was halted and we have the cash required to even go and purchase some grocery.”

Some of these labourers have brought their families with them in the city so more of them work and earn. However, now that the work has stopped, they are struggling to feed their children. Ashok Yadav, from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, lives in Undri along with his mother, wife and children. He said, “Every day is becoming difficult as we are seeing our supplies finishing at home. Now, to sustain us for a longer period, we have started having a meal only once in a day.”

As the government aid has not yet reached to them, these workers have demanded that they be allowed to return to Uttar Pradesh. “Back in the village, we can borrow something from anybody and survive. However, we do not know many people here from whom we can borrow on a regular basis. If the lockdown continues, we will be left with no option but start walking back to our hometown,” Sundar Chowdhary told Mirror.

These workers have appealed the government to provide them with some essential rations so that they can survive the lockdown period. Devendra Hosmani, another worker, said, “We do not want money. The price of groceries is already skyrocketing and even if we get money from donors, it will get over very soon. Therefore, we appeal to people of Pune to give us essential rations so that we can survive this lockdown phase."