In the wake of increasing coronavirus cases in India in March 2020, the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre snapped a lockdown in place. The announcement sparked a migrant worker crisis, as many left the city for faraway homes on foot out of fear of a lack of unemployment. Jobs have been lost in the millions, sparking an economic crisis in India.

Of the lakhs of displaced workers, hundreds died while making their way home – at least 209 died in various road accidents. Many more died on special trains organised by the government – the Indian Railways confirmed that at least 80 deaths were recorded on Shramik Special trains. Over 133 people died by suicide as the fear of infection, loneliness and the inability to earn spiked because of the movement restrictions.

Yaqut Ali, a journalist with The Wire, met migrant workers who survived the lockdown to better understand the difficult times that they have faced over the past year.

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