Migrants pay Rs 5500 bus fare to return to their hometowns in West Bengal from Kota

Several migrant labourers, who were able to leave for their home states in buses from Kota to West Bengal on Thursday were charged an exorbitant amount of money for their journeys.

Kota (Rajasthan):Amid the Coronavirus-induced lockdown, thousands of workers are returning to their hometowns paying hefty bus fares.

The government had promised to arrange the buses free of cost but is yet to materialize.

Several migrant labourers, who were able to leave for their home states in buses from Kota to West Bengal on Thursday were charged an exorbitant amount of money for their journeys.

After talking to some migrant workers, it was learnt that some of these workers borrowed money from their family and friends in their village, while others arranged money by mortgaging wife's jewellery.

In Uttar Pradesh, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi has asked to make buses available for migrant workers, but things seem to have taken a different turn, as now migrants are themselves arranging the ticket money.

The workers going to Bengal said they sought help from the Bengal government. But after no response, they managed for fares and are now returning to their homes.

On Thursday, 210 people have returned to West Bengal in 7 buses. Each person had to shell out Rs 5500 to travel from Kota to West Bengal.

Sheikh Arsad Ali, who works in a jewellery shop, said, "Being with the family without money and food made me helpless. So, somehow I have managed to get the money for the bus ticket."

Sujita, another worker said, "We were all suffering due to the lockdown. There was no food and water. I didn't have food to give my children, so I decided to return to my hometown. At least, I can feed them," she added.

Similarly, labourer Sunot said 'For three months, we have been enduring hunger. No one helped us, neither the government nor the person under whom I was working."

With the extension of the lockdown, migrant workers are facing a lot of difficulties and hence they are returning back to their hometowns by paying hefty bus fares.