Homecoming: After weeks of struggle, trains, buses arranged for migrants in India amidst COVID-19 lockdown

Migrants in every state have been hard hit due to the ongoing coronavirus lockdown. With no jobs, wage or food, the migrants just want to be ferried back to their villages during this ongoing coronavirus lockdown.

The Centre on Friday allowed inter-state movement of migrants in the country who are stuck in various states without work and wages due to the lockdown. (Photo | EPS) 

Various state governments including Delhi, Kerala, Andhra, Telangana, Bihar and others have started sending migrants back home. In Karnataka, buses have been arranged allowing 30 passengers in each keeping social distancing in mind. (Photo | Shriram BN, EPS)

Lakhs of migrant workers and others had been left stranded - without jobs, money, food or shelter - in states far from their own after the nationwide lockdown imposed on March 25. (Photo | Shriram BN, EPS)

In construction sites, migrants without work have been urging the labour contractors to send them home. (Photo | EPS)

A travel pass is needed for these migrants to board a train for home. In this photo, hundreds of migrant workers gathered at Chennai's Rippon building to get their pass. (Photo | Ashwin Prasath, EPS)

The Railways has asked for states to arrange meals and drinking water for these migrants going home at the start point of the train/ bus. Social distancing will supposedly be maintained while ferrying them back home. (Photo | Shriram BN, EPS)

Transport officials have been asked to prepare an estimate of the number of migrant workers set to leave for their respective districts and make buses available through coordination. (Photo | EPS)

Though the Centre and state governments claim that migrants are being looked after, reports of hunger, deaths have been coming from various parts of the country. Meanwhile, the lockdown in India has been extended till May 17. (Photo | EPS)