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The plight of India's migrant workers

  • MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA - 2020/05/13: A girl cries as they wait to board vehicles during the lockdown. Due to lockdown situation, most migrants are stuck in Mumbai, some walk and others arrange their own trucks and buses to their home towns, while the police say that the buses are available by the government. (Photo by Ratika More/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    1/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA - 2020/05/13: A girl cries as they wait to board vehicles during the lockdown. Due to lockdown situation, most migrants are stuck in Mumbai, some walk and others arrange their own trucks and buses to their home towns, while the police say that the buses are available by the government. (Photo by Ratika More/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    SOPA Images via Getty Images
  • Migrant workers wait outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station before boarding trains to return to their homes after the government eased a nationwide lockdown as a preventive mearure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Mumbai on May 14, 2020. (Photo by Punit PARANJPE / AFP) (Photo by PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty Images)
    2/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    Migrant workers wait outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station before boarding trains to return to their homes after the government eased a nationwide lockdown as a preventive mearure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Mumbai on May 14, 2020. (Photo by Punit PARANJPE / AFP) (Photo by PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty Images)
    PUNIT PARANJPE via Getty Images
  • Security personnel stop migrant workers with their families walking back to their native places in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar state as the government eased a nationwide lockdown as a preventive mearure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in New Delhi on May 14, 2020. (Photo by Prakash SINGH / AFP) (Photo by PRAKASH SINGH/AFP via Getty Images)
    3/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    Security personnel stop migrant workers with their families walking back to their native places in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar state as the government eased a nationwide lockdown as a preventive mearure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in New Delhi on May 14, 2020. (Photo by Prakash SINGH / AFP) (Photo by PRAKASH SINGH/AFP via Getty Images)
    PRAKASH SINGH via Getty Images
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  • In this photo taken on May 13, 2020, migrant labourer Manish Verma (2nd L) sits along with his family and neighbours on the national highway during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Ghaziabad. - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's grand announcement of a $265-billion rescue package for the Indian economy is little comfort to Manish Verma, one of millions left destitute and desperate 50 days into a crippling coronavirus lockdown. (Photo by Abhaya SRIVASTAVA / AFP) (Photo by ABHAYA SRIVASTAVA/AFP via Getty Images)
    4/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    In this photo taken on May 13, 2020, migrant labourer Manish Verma (2nd L) sits along with his family and neighbours on the national highway during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Ghaziabad. - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's grand announcement of a $265-billion rescue package for the Indian economy is little comfort to Manish Verma, one of millions left destitute and desperate 50 days into a crippling coronavirus lockdown. (Photo by Abhaya SRIVASTAVA / AFP) (Photo by ABHAYA SRIVASTAVA/AFP via Getty Images)
    ABHAYA SRIVASTAVA via Getty Images
  • A migrant worker waves from the window of a special train going to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh state back to his hometown after the government eased a nationwide lockdown imposed as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Amritsar on May 14, 2020. (Photo by NARINDER NANU / AFP) (Photo by NARINDER NANU/AFP via Getty Images)
    5/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    A migrant worker waves from the window of a special train going to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh state back to his hometown after the government eased a nationwide lockdown imposed as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Amritsar on May 14, 2020. (Photo by NARINDER NANU / AFP) (Photo by NARINDER NANU/AFP via Getty Images)
    NARINDER NANU via Getty Images
  • GHAZIABAD, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA - 2020/05/13: Migrant workers with their belongings walk along a railway track returning to their home, during an extended nationwide lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus disease. (Photo by Amarjeet Kumar Singh/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    6/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    GHAZIABAD, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA - 2020/05/13: Migrant workers with their belongings walk along a railway track returning to their home, during an extended nationwide lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus disease. (Photo by Amarjeet Kumar Singh/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    SOPA Images via Getty Images
  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • GHAZIABAD, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA - 2020/05/13: Migrant workers with their belongings walk along a railway track returning to their home, during an extended nationwide lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus disease. (Photo by Amarjeet Kumar Singh/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    7/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    GHAZIABAD, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA - 2020/05/13: Migrant workers with their belongings walk along a railway track returning to their home, during an extended nationwide lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus disease. (Photo by Amarjeet Kumar Singh/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    SOPA Images via Getty Images
  • MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA - 2020/05/13: A man takes a selfie on top of the truck during the stranded situation. Due to lockdown situation, most migrants are stuck in Mumbai, some walk and others arrange their own trucks and buses to their home towns, while the police say that the buses are available by the government. (Photo by Ratika More/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    8/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA - 2020/05/13: A man takes a selfie on top of the truck during the stranded situation. Due to lockdown situation, most migrants are stuck in Mumbai, some walk and others arrange their own trucks and buses to their home towns, while the police say that the buses are available by the government. (Photo by Ratika More/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    SOPA Images via Getty Images
  • GHAZIABAD, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA - 2020/05/13: Migrant workers carrying their belongings walk along a railway track returning to their home, during an extended nationwide lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus disease. (Photo by Amarjeet Kumar Singh/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    9/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    GHAZIABAD, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA - 2020/05/13: Migrant workers carrying their belongings walk along a railway track returning to their home, during an extended nationwide lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus disease. (Photo by Amarjeet Kumar Singh/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    SOPA Images via Getty Images
  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA - 2020/05/13: A woman fills her water bottle as they wait to board vehicles during the lockdown. Due to lockdown situation, most migrants are stuck in Mumbai, some walk and others arrange their own trucks and buses to their home towns, while the police say that the buses are available by the government. (Photo by Ratika More/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    10/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA - 2020/05/13: A woman fills her water bottle as they wait to board vehicles during the lockdown. Due to lockdown situation, most migrants are stuck in Mumbai, some walk and others arrange their own trucks and buses to their home towns, while the police say that the buses are available by the government. (Photo by Ratika More/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    SOPA Images via Getty Images
  • MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA - 2020/05/13: A boy eats a piece of watermelon as they wait to board vehicles during the stranded situation. Due to lockdown situation, most migrants are stuck in Mumbai, some walk and others arrange their own trucks and buses to their home towns, while the police say that the buses are available by the government. (Photo by Ratika More/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    11/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA - 2020/05/13: A boy eats a piece of watermelon as they wait to board vehicles during the stranded situation. Due to lockdown situation, most migrants are stuck in Mumbai, some walk and others arrange their own trucks and buses to their home towns, while the police say that the buses are available by the government. (Photo by Ratika More/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    SOPA Images via Getty Images
  • Migrants rest as they walk towards their native places during the nation wide lockdown imposed due to deadly novel coronavirus pandemic in Jaipur,Rajasthan, India,May 13,2020.(Photo by Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
    12/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    Migrants rest as they walk towards their native places during the nation wide lockdown imposed due to deadly novel coronavirus pandemic in Jaipur,Rajasthan, India,May 13,2020.(Photo by Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
    NurPhoto via Getty Images
  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • Migrants rest as they walk towards their native places during the nation wide lockdown imposed due to deadly novel coronavirus pandemic in Jaipur,Rajasthan, India,May 13,2020.(Photo by Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
    13/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    Migrants rest as they walk towards their native places during the nation wide lockdown imposed due to deadly novel coronavirus pandemic in Jaipur,Rajasthan, India,May 13,2020.(Photo by Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
    NurPhoto via Getty Images
  • MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA - 2020/05/13: People getting onto a truck during the lockdown. Due to lockdown situation, most migrants are stuck in Mumbai, some walk and others arrange their own trucks and buses to their home towns, while the police say that the buses are available by the government. (Photo by Ratika More/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    14/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA - 2020/05/13: People getting onto a truck during the lockdown. Due to lockdown situation, most migrants are stuck in Mumbai, some walk and others arrange their own trucks and buses to their home towns, while the police say that the buses are available by the government. (Photo by Ratika More/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    SOPA Images via Getty Images
  • NEW DELHI, INDIA - MAY 13: Migrant workers arrive at the New Delhi Railway Station to board a special train bound to their native state, during lockdown, on May 13, 2020 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Sanchit Khanna/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
    15/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    NEW DELHI, INDIA - MAY 13: Migrant workers arrive at the New Delhi Railway Station to board a special train bound to their native state, during lockdown, on May 13, 2020 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Sanchit Khanna/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
    Hindustan Times via Getty Images
  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • NEW DELHI, INDIA - MAY 13: Migrants leaving with luggage for their home states on foot during lockdown, near Anand Vihar, on May 13, 2020 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Arvind Yadav/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
    16/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    NEW DELHI, INDIA - MAY 13: Migrants leaving with luggage for their home states on foot during lockdown, near Anand Vihar, on May 13, 2020 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Arvind Yadav/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
    Hindustan Times via Getty Images
  • GURUGRAM, INDIA - MAY 13: Migrants waiting to be ferried from Tau Devi Lal Stadium to the railway station from where they will board a Shramik Special train to Bihar, on May 13, 2020 in Gurugram, India. (Photo by Yogendra Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
    17/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    GURUGRAM, INDIA - MAY 13: Migrants waiting to be ferried from Tau Devi Lal Stadium to the railway station from where they will board a Shramik Special train to Bihar, on May 13, 2020 in Gurugram, India. (Photo by Yogendra Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
    Hindustan Times via Getty Images
  • GURUGRAM, INDIA - MAY 13: Migrants waiting to be ferried from Tau Devi Lal Stadium to the railway station from where they will board a Shramik Special train to Bihar, on May 13, 2020 in Gurugram, India. (Photo by Yogendra Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
    18/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    GURUGRAM, INDIA - MAY 13: Migrants waiting to be ferried from Tau Devi Lal Stadium to the railway station from where they will board a Shramik Special train to Bihar, on May 13, 2020 in Gurugram, India. (Photo by Yogendra Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
    Hindustan Times via Getty Images
  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • Migrants rest as they walk towards their native places during the nation wide lockdown imposed due to deadly novel coronavirus pandemic in Jaipur,Rajasthan, India,May 13,2020.(Photo by Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
    19/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    Migrants rest as they walk towards their native places during the nation wide lockdown imposed due to deadly novel coronavirus pandemic in Jaipur,Rajasthan, India,May 13,2020.(Photo by Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
    NurPhoto via Getty Images
  • GURUGRAM, INDIA - MAY 13: Migrants at Govt Girls College Sector 14 heading by bus to board a Shramik Special train to Madhya Pradesh, on May 13, 2020 in Gurugram, India. (Photo by Yogendra Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
    20/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    GURUGRAM, INDIA - MAY 13: Migrants at Govt Girls College Sector 14 heading by bus to board a Shramik Special train to Madhya Pradesh, on May 13, 2020 in Gurugram, India. (Photo by Yogendra Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
    Hindustan Times via Getty Images
  • GURUGRAM, INDIA - MAY 13: Migrants at Govt Girls College Sector 14 being thermal screened before heading to board a Shramik Special train to Madhya Pradesh, on May 13, 2020 in Gurugram, India. (Photo by Yogendra Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
    21/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    GURUGRAM, INDIA - MAY 13: Migrants at Govt Girls College Sector 14 being thermal screened before heading to board a Shramik Special train to Madhya Pradesh, on May 13, 2020 in Gurugram, India. (Photo by Yogendra Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
    Hindustan Times via Getty Images
  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • A migrant worker mother carries her daughter on her shoulder as she walks along a street during a nationwide lockdown imposed as a preventive measure against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in New Delhi on May 13, 2020. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP) (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images)
    22/22

    The plight of India's migrant workers

    A migrant worker mother carries her daughter on her shoulder as she walks along a street during a nationwide lockdown imposed as a preventive measure against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in New Delhi on May 13, 2020. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP) (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images)
    JEWEL SAMAD via Getty Images
MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA - 2020/05/13: A girl cries as they wait to board vehicles during the lockdown. Due to lockdown situation, most migrants are stuck in Mumbai, some walk and others arrange their own trucks and buses to their home towns, while the police say that the buses are available by the government. (Photo by Ratika More/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Migrant workers wait outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station before boarding trains to return to their homes after the government eased a nationwide lockdown as a preventive mearure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Mumbai on May 14, 2020. (Photo by Punit PARANJPE / AFP) (Photo by PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty Images)
Security personnel stop migrant workers with their families walking back to their native places in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar state as the government eased a nationwide lockdown as a preventive mearure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in New Delhi on May 14, 2020. (Photo by Prakash SINGH / AFP) (Photo by PRAKASH SINGH/AFP via Getty Images)
In this photo taken on May 13, 2020, migrant labourer Manish Verma (2nd L) sits along with his family and neighbours on the national highway during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Ghaziabad. - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's grand announcement of a $265-billion rescue package for the Indian economy is little comfort to Manish Verma, one of millions left destitute and desperate 50 days into a crippling coronavirus lockdown. (Photo by Abhaya SRIVASTAVA / AFP) (Photo by ABHAYA SRIVASTAVA/AFP via Getty Images)
A migrant worker waves from the window of a special train going to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh state back to his hometown after the government eased a nationwide lockdown imposed as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Amritsar on May 14, 2020. (Photo by NARINDER NANU / AFP) (Photo by NARINDER NANU/AFP via Getty Images)
GHAZIABAD, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA - 2020/05/13: Migrant workers with their belongings walk along a railway track returning to their home, during an extended nationwide lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus disease. (Photo by Amarjeet Kumar Singh/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
GHAZIABAD, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA - 2020/05/13: Migrant workers with their belongings walk along a railway track returning to their home, during an extended nationwide lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus disease. (Photo by Amarjeet Kumar Singh/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA - 2020/05/13: A man takes a selfie on top of the truck during the stranded situation. Due to lockdown situation, most migrants are stuck in Mumbai, some walk and others arrange their own trucks and buses to their home towns, while the police say that the buses are available by the government. (Photo by Ratika More/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
GHAZIABAD, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA - 2020/05/13: Migrant workers carrying their belongings walk along a railway track returning to their home, during an extended nationwide lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus disease. (Photo by Amarjeet Kumar Singh/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA - 2020/05/13: A woman fills her water bottle as they wait to board vehicles during the lockdown. Due to lockdown situation, most migrants are stuck in Mumbai, some walk and others arrange their own trucks and buses to their home towns, while the police say that the buses are available by the government. (Photo by Ratika More/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA - 2020/05/13: A boy eats a piece of watermelon as they wait to board vehicles during the stranded situation. Due to lockdown situation, most migrants are stuck in Mumbai, some walk and others arrange their own trucks and buses to their home towns, while the police say that the buses are available by the government. (Photo by Ratika More/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Migrants rest as they walk towards their native places during the nation wide lockdown imposed due to deadly novel coronavirus pandemic in Jaipur,Rajasthan, India,May 13,2020.(Photo by Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Migrants rest as they walk towards their native places during the nation wide lockdown imposed due to deadly novel coronavirus pandemic in Jaipur,Rajasthan, India,May 13,2020.(Photo by Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA - 2020/05/13: People getting onto a truck during the lockdown. Due to lockdown situation, most migrants are stuck in Mumbai, some walk and others arrange their own trucks and buses to their home towns, while the police say that the buses are available by the government. (Photo by Ratika More/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
NEW DELHI, INDIA - MAY 13: Migrant workers arrive at the New Delhi Railway Station to board a special train bound to their native state, during lockdown, on May 13, 2020 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Sanchit Khanna/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
NEW DELHI, INDIA - MAY 13: Migrants leaving with luggage for their home states on foot during lockdown, near Anand Vihar, on May 13, 2020 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Arvind Yadav/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
GURUGRAM, INDIA - MAY 13: Migrants waiting to be ferried from Tau Devi Lal Stadium to the railway station from where they will board a Shramik Special train to Bihar, on May 13, 2020 in Gurugram, India. (Photo by Yogendra Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
GURUGRAM, INDIA - MAY 13: Migrants waiting to be ferried from Tau Devi Lal Stadium to the railway station from where they will board a Shramik Special train to Bihar, on May 13, 2020 in Gurugram, India. (Photo by Yogendra Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Migrants rest as they walk towards their native places during the nation wide lockdown imposed due to deadly novel coronavirus pandemic in Jaipur,Rajasthan, India,May 13,2020.(Photo by Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
GURUGRAM, INDIA - MAY 13: Migrants at Govt Girls College Sector 14 heading by bus to board a Shramik Special train to Madhya Pradesh, on May 13, 2020 in Gurugram, India. (Photo by Yogendra Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
GURUGRAM, INDIA - MAY 13: Migrants at Govt Girls College Sector 14 being thermal screened before heading to board a Shramik Special train to Madhya Pradesh, on May 13, 2020 in Gurugram, India. (Photo by Yogendra Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
A migrant worker mother carries her daughter on her shoulder as she walks along a street during a nationwide lockdown imposed as a preventive measure against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in New Delhi on May 13, 2020. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP) (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images)
Yahoo News

Even as hundreds of ‘Shramik’ trains and special buses criss-cross India to ferry migrant workers home, gruesome incidents of them being run over on the roads are coming to light with alarming frequency. The coronavirus-induced migrant exodus is turning into a crisis parallel to the ones that ail the health and economy of the country. Here are images that portray what migrant labourers are going through while most of middle class-and-above India grapples with the problems of lockdown anxiety and ennui in the relative safety and comfort of home-quarantine.

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