SURAT: Blisters added to their pains of not getting any transport to go home, but a group of migrant workers trudged on relentlessly amid the unrelenting heat in their bid to reach home in
Uttar Pradesh in at least 40 days.
However, thanks to residents of Ena, an NRI village near
Bardoli
, who not only took pity on these 29 labourers’ plight but also arranged for their transportation to their hometowns after feeding them and attending to their sores. Even
BJP leaders from the city arranged their seats in the special shramik trains .Nine workers started their journey two days ago from Vapi, while the others from Sachin and Udhan in city joined them at later phases. A villager spotted the tired bunch taking rest near Godiya village on national highway 43 on Tuesday evening.
“An engineer from our village spotted them. Blisters on their feet were bleeding due to continuous walking on roads in the scorching sun,” said Parimal Patel, president of
Surat Jilla Khedut Samaj
.
Ena villagers arranged for food, medication as well accommodation for their stay at night. Patel said that he discussed the issue with city BJP leaders who suggested that he bring them to the city. “The workers were taken to the city in a school bus and arrangement for their train travel are being done,” he added.
A native of
Banda district
in UP, Bhaiyat Ram, said that the workers, who have been jobless were left with no option but walk back as they have no money for train.
Manish Pal
, a native of Kaushambi, added “Few of us have a little money which we will need to support our family for the next few weeks Hence, we decided to save the transportation cost.”
Nitin Bhajiyawala
, city BJP president said: “We have arranged for their train travel. Twenty will leave on Wednesday night, while the others on Thursday.”
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, Location Guesser and Mini Crossword. Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes, messages, and quotes.Yagnesh Mehta is principal correspondent at The Times of India, S...
Read MoreYagnesh Mehta is principal correspondent at The Times of India, Surat and reports on crime, politics and health related issues. He has reported on major events that affected Surat in recent years, like the floods in 2006 and bird flu outbreak in Navapur in 2005. He has also covered child labour issues in industries of Surat and on RTI. Painting and rock-climbing are his favourite leisure activities.
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