City’s invisible workforce feels the ‘heat’ of losses this scorching summer

Mumbai: The scorching heat has taken a severe toll on outdoor workers, including construction laborers, cart pullers, food hawkers, and autorickshaw drivers. Despite finding ways to cope with the extreme temperatures, they unanimously agree that this has been the most challenging summer in the city’s history.To adapt to the harsh conditions, some have reduced their working hours, while others, such as cart pullers, have decreased their workload and altered their delivery schedules. In wholesale markets, which are usually teeming with thousands of traders and cart pullers, deliveries are now being made in the evening instead of the afternoon to avoid the peak heat.The city’s invisible workforce — hawkers, cobblers, and street food vendors — have also modified their working methods to survive the sweltering heat. Manoj Gupta, a bhelpuri stall owner near the police commissioner’s office in CSMT, provides water with every chaat serving. Those selling mobile phone accessories or bags have added colorful battery-operated hand fans to their inventory.Maruti Kindre, a 50-year-old autorickshaw driver, has been grappling with the harsh summer heat, which has affected his health and income. “I start earlier than usual as it is not very hot in the early morning hours. I ferry passengers till afternoon and if I get a passenger whose trip brings me closer home, I go home and stay indoors till the late evening and then resume work post sunset,” said Kindre, who has been in the profession since 1994.However, this new arrangement has resulted in a decrease in Kindre’s earnings, and the heat drains him of all energy. He sometimes struggles to make ends meet, particularly when it comes to paying monthly expenses such as rent, electricity, and his children’s college fees. “If I fall short, I cannot afford to take breaks. I wait under a tree for the next passenger. I also work till late at night,” he added, emphasising the difficulties faced by many in his profession during these trying times.For 75-year-old taxi driver S Gupta, his 50 years of experience driving the kaali-peeli has made him resilient to the city’s hot and humid weather. “I work for 10-12 hours even during summer heat, and maintain a simple lifestyle with regular meals, and I keep myself hydrated,” he said, pointing to a large bottle of water kept next to the gearbox. “I wake up at 4am and leave my Ghatkopar home by 7am to pick up the cab from Lower Parel parking. The heat is unbearable at times, but I keep myself cool by sipping water,” he added.Another cabbie, Shyam Mishra from Fort takes breaks and downs buttermilk to keep cool. “I park the taxi on the road, and refuse passengers between 12pm and 3pm, irrespective of whether they are fuming over my refusals,” said Mishra. A fast food joint owner in Mulund West, who makes frankies on a hot plate, said: “This is my sole earning, which is why I am forced to get used to the sweat and heat in Aamchi Mumbai.”