MP’s ban on buses hits returning workforce hard

NAGPUR: An old Dasharat Korti was lucky to reach Sitabuldi in time to take a bus to his village in Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh (MP). He came to know from his neighbour in the nick of the time that his home state will not allow buses from Maharashtra to enter from Sunday onwards. He rushed with his family.
Dasharat was among the many other migrant workers from different districts of neighbouring MP who go back to their villages at this time of the year.The travel ban by the MP government with an objective to prevent the spread of Covid comes at a time when migrants rush back for Holi and harvest.
Not only those in Nagpur but workers from MP employed in states as far as Gujarat and down south try to reach home at this time. Apart from Holi, it’s also harvest time for wheat and chana (gram) grown in their fields. The workers set out after the sowing season during winters and return for harvest at this time.
Their journey back had just begun and the ban has been imposed. The move is expected to leave a number of them stranded, say bus operators on this route. Some were also seen leaving as the lockdown had left them jobless.
Bodhan Singh had brought his daughter to the city for treatment. She had swallowed a five rupee coin after which the family rushed to Nagpur. “Luckily it came out with the stools so we are returning without taking her to the doctor. Singh, who was here for three days, knew of the travel ban and so was rushing home.
“Many may not be even knowing at all. They may not be able to go back now. Only a small fraction of the workers has gone so far. The journey continues till March end. Still the workers in Gujarat and southern states haven’t reached. Even they take the bus to their villages from Nagpur,” said a bus operator.
Mahesh Karmeti, also waiting at the bus stop with his family, said they had to leave urgently. “It’s raining and if we don’t reach the village in time the wheat crop would be damaged,” He was a little aware of the ban.
Another family waiting closeby only came to know about the travel ban after they reached the bus stand on Friday afternoon. Vinaykumar wanting to reach Rewa was not aware about any travel ban at all.