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This story is from February 8, 2019

Migrants from Marathwada flock to Alandi’s building sites, farms and wedding halls for work

Migrants from Marathwada flock to Alandi’s building sites, farms and wedding halls for work
PUNE: The drought in Marathwada has triggered migration to not only big cities but also smaller towns in the state.
Water scarcity in Beed, Osmanabad, Parbhani, Nanded and Jalna has forced thousands of workers like Santosh Thorve to leave their native places and come to Alandi, 21km from Pune, in search of jobs.
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Every morning, they gather at a ‘Majoor Adda’ (a casual workers’ pick-up point) in Alandi looking for employment at construction sites, marriage halls, households and farms.

In the last five years, Alandi has become a favourite place for contractors as they get adequate and required labourers at two majoor addas, one at Wadgaon Chowk and another near Chakan Chowk.
“I had sown jowar on my two-acre land, but I had to abandon it and come to Alandi to earn some money and bear the education expenses of my two sons who are studying in high school at my native place,” Thorve told TOI on Tuesday morning at Alandi, where he was looking for a job at a construction site.

According to Alandi Municipal Council (AMC) officials, this year, the number of migrants is higher than the other years.
Usually, around 200 people mill around the two majoor addas. Now, there are between 600 and 700. “These migrants are from Marathwada and Vidarbha regions. Since there is shortage of water for farming, they are coming to Alandi. Secondly, the marriage season here is good for them as they not only get wages but also food,” president of the council, Vaijayanta Kamble, told TOI.
Building contractor Arun Kale, who migrated from Beed district 20 years ago, has now settled in Alandi. He said at least a 100 couples from Ashti tehsil of the district have arrived in Alandi in search of jobs.
“They work at construction sites and farms in nearby villages. At the construction sites, they earn between Rs 500 to Rs 700 per day. On the farms, they earn around Rs 200 to Rs 300 daily. Collectively, a couple can earn over Rs 1,000 per day which is a big amount for them. They can easily pay rent and cover their daily expenses from the amount,” he added.
Ramarao Aavargad (54) from Parbhani district was disappointed when he got no work. “They do not prefer a person like me due to the age factor. Hence, I do not get work every day. But I earn around Rs 10,000 per month. This income is adequate as I do not earn the same amount even in four months at my native place. Therefore, I migrated to Alandi where I earn money and get free food at several temples and dharmashalas,” he said.
Vikas Patil, a mason who works at several construction sites in Pimpri Chinchwad areas, said there are several building construction sites in PCMC areas and there is a huge demand for labourers and skilled manpower like him
“I earn around Rs 1,000 every day. My wife works at marriage hall. She also earns between Rs 300 to Rs 500. This income is enough for us to cover our daily needs,” he added.
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