COVID-19: Large number of migrants returning from Maharashtra to UP and Bihar

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Majority of the migrant labourers returning from different parts of Maharashtra in the second wave of COVID 19 surge headed for Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, according to a report by State Bank of India.

It revealed that since April 1, the total number of workers who returned from Maharashtra to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were not less than 4-4.25 lakh, almost 45% of total migrant returnees.

The next two states where the migrants were headed were West Bengal and Assam.

Western Railway data

According to Western Railway authority a total of 196 trains ran to different parts of the country from Maharashtra between April 1 and 15. Of these, 150 trains went to Bihar and UP only.

The rest of the trains went to states such as Bengal, Assam, Gujarat and Odisha.

These 196 trains transported a total of 4.32 lakh migrant labourers. Of them, 3.23 lakh – about 75% — headed towards Bihar and UP.

Central Railway data

On the other hand, Central Railway data shows that the total number of trains between Maharashtra and other parts stood at 336. While a part of Maharashtra is served by Western Railway, a part falls under the jurisdiction of Central Railway.

The total number of migrant labourers ferried in trains under Central Railway were 4.7 lakh. The number of migrant labourers who returned to Bihar and UP in these trains was not less than 1 lakh.

Therefore, about 45% of the total 9 lakh migrant workers who returned by the 532 trains went back to Bihar and UP.

“Migration is labour continuing unbeaten as Maharashtra is concern. According to the data provided by both division of railways it shows that till date (20 April) more than 12 lakh people have been ferried from this western state to different states. We have estimated at least Rs 82,000 crore losses in Maharashtra alone if the restrictions were not tightened further,” read the report prepared by Soumya Kanti Ghosh the group chief economic adviser of State Bank of India.

During a recent address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi advised migrant workers not to return to their home states, assuring them that they will not be deprived their livelihoods.

4,850 Shramik Special trains in 2020

During the first wave of COVID 19 in 2020, a total of 4,850 Shramik Special trains were operated in the country to transport approximately 60 lakh migrant workers to their home states.

According to Railway sources, the top five states from where maximum Shramik Special trains originated are Gujarat (1,200), Maharashtra (1,040), Punjab (530), Uttar Pradesh (410) and Delhi (321).

The top-five states where maximum trains terminated are Uttar Pradesh (1,850), Bihar (1,246), Jharkhand (223), Madhya Pradesh (152) and Odisha (103).

Indian Railways started ‘Shramik Special’ trains from May 1, 2020 during the first wave of COVID-19.

However, unlike in 2020, there were no reports of workers walking or cycling hundreds of kms to their home states this time.