Second exodus of migrant workers from Hyd. begins

Fearing another lockdown, they are getting into any available train even without valid tickets

The Secunderabad Railway Station has once again become a haven for migrant workers trying to return home. Young migrant workers, some with their families occupy every available space on the open ground in front of the station near Platform 1. “There is a night curfew in Hyderabad. They may declare lockdown like last year. I want to go back before that happens,” said Rocky Singh, who drives a cab in the city and was waiting for the Raxaul Express that departs at 11.35 p.m. on Thursday. He was going to his hometown of Samastipur. There were dozens of other men sitting with their bags who did not have reservations but were expecting their friends to work out a solution. Entry into the railway station is restricted with the ticketing staff checking the tickets of passengers entering the platform.