Migrant laborers walk to their villages during the lockdown in New Delhi, India, March 29, 2020. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
NEW DELHI, March 30 (Xinhua) -- As India began a 21-day lockdown across the country in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19, thousands of laborers including women and children are desperately trying to return home.
The sudden announcement of lockdown has brought their life to halt. With no work available and strict lockdown prevalent in the capital city, they are migrating back to their villages. In the absence of public transport covering the distance they go back home simply by walking.
Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal said both the Uttar Pradesh government and the Delhi government have arranged buses for the stranded workers.
"The Delhi government's nearly 100 buses and the Uttar Pradesh government's nearly 200 buses are ferrying people trying to walk on foot," Kejriwal said. "I still appeal to everyone to stay where they are and obey the lockdown. To fight coronavirus the only way out is to stay inside.
Migrant laborers walk to their villages during the lockdown in New Delhi, India, March 29, 2020. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
Migrant laborers walk to their villages during the lockdown in New Delhi, India, March 29, 2020. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
Migrant laborers ride back to their villages during the lockdown in New Delhi, India, March 29, 2020. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
A policeman stands guard as migrant laborers in queues wait for buses at a bus station during the lockdown in New Delhi, India, March 29, 2020. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
Migrant laborers in queues wait for buses at a bus station during the lockdown in New Delhi, India, March 29, 2020. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
Migrant laborers wait for buses at a bus station during the lockdown in New Delhi, India, March 29, 2020. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
Migrant laborers receive food from volunteers during the lockdown in New Delhi, India, March 29, 2020. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
A migrant laborer receives food from a volunteer during the lockdown in New Delhi, India, March 29, 2020. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)■
