COVID-19 Lockdown: Four Odia Migrant Workers Ride Home On Bicycles From Chhattisgarh

Sonepur/Puri: Four migrant Odia workers of Konark area in Odisha’s Puri district, who work in a putty company in Chhattisgarh capital Raipur, arrived at Biramaharajpur in Sonepur on their bicycles on Sunday.

Talking to mediapersons, the migrant workers said that the company was closed due to the complete lockdown in the wake of the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

“We had no money to stay in Bilaspur as the company held up two months’ salary. Finding no other way, we decided to leave Raipur for our native place on bicycles the company had provided us. We left Bilaspur on April 16 and arrived at Biramaharajpur in Sonepur district at 11 am today. Some volunteers here provided us food and shelter. As we are tired, we will stay here tonight and leave tomorrow. We have already covered about 300 km and will reach our native place in a couple of days,” the migrant workers said.

Asked how they managed to cover such a long distance, the migrant workers said people on the way offered them dry food like bread, biscuits and water.

“We have offered snacks and prepared rice and dalma for them. They will stay here tonight and leave for their destination tomorrow morning,” said a volunteer.