COVID-19: Migrant workers struggle to reach hometown amid PM Modi's #Lockdown21

PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday declared a 21 day nationwide lockdown explaining that this will help in breaking the Covid-19 chain.

While the lockdown may seem a definite plan to curb the spread of the infection, but in India not many can afford a 21 day lockdown. Many migrant workers are leaving India's major cities and walking towards their homes after a government lockdown designed to prevent the spread of the virus left them without jobs, pay and food.

The potential mass migration may undermine attempts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to prevent the localized spread of the coronavirus, with some workers even attempting to make the journey on foot, due to widespread closures of public transport.

As per government report, every year more than nine million migrant workers move from India's rural areas to large population centers to find work at construction sites or factories, sending money back to their home towns and villages.

But with those industries closed by the government lockdown, many have been left with little choice but to attempt the return journey home.

Here are few pictures and videos of the impact of lockdown on the migrant workers: 

Modi's third Master Stroke at 8 PM Sharp !!

1 #Demon

2 #GST

3 #Lockdown21

Remember all these people voted for Modi and Ram Mandir !!! pic.twitter.com/KnOqDYkbwY

— Augustine Varkey (@logicalindianz) March 28, 2020

Unbelievable. Police now beating up helpless, starving migrant workers who’re trying to go home. More glimpses from India’s Great Derangement #coronavirusindia#covid#Lockdown21https://t.co/tslfXw2uDA

— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) March 28, 2020

Poverty can't afford lockdowns.#MigrantsOnTheRoad#Covid19India#Lockdown21pic.twitter.com/enVGIaAztH

— Ravi Choudhary (@choudharyview) March 28, 2020

Workers of any other state are not running,except from Delhi? Because here an agent's government and agents have a media house, who are constantly working to make #Lockdown21 a failure!#ArrestKejriwalpic.twitter.com/3I3H4qFvYA

— Sandeep Rana (@Ayu_sandeep) March 28, 2020

People are rushing from Delhi to various locations like UP, Bihar etc. Most of them belong to Working class and due to Lockdown migrating back, thus defeating the purpose of #Lockdown21. Though problems R there but they should have stayed where they were. Jaan hai tou Jahan hai. pic.twitter.com/msnlPosr0K

— Abdul Khabir (@khabir123) March 28, 2020

Right now on Nizamuddin bridge...people walking to cross Delhi border. Most did not get paid by the industries that collapsed. They say there will be food in village. #Lockdown21pic.twitter.com/TfefrDGIvp

— Saba Naqvi (@_sabanaqvi) March 28, 2020

Helpless families walking down #Punjagutta road in #Hyderabad on Sat night. #Lockdown21#CoronavirusOutbreak#Telangana@TelanganaCMOpic.twitter.com/WwusfjhDZO

— AIR News Hyderabad (@airnews_hyd) March 28, 2020

These images reveal a stark reality : you cannot lock down 1.3 billion people for a month with 4 hours notice , suddenly in a surprise TV announcement. #Lockdown21 . #coronavirusinindia . As I predicted in an earlier tweet this is demonitisation to the power of 100 https://t.co/sZCwQXbsuO

— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) March 28, 2020