On 24 Mar’20, the Indian Government announced a 21-day lockdown in the country from 25 Mar’20 onwards in order to fight the spread of COVID19. Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured that all the essential services will be available to the public and there was certainly no need to panic.
While the government’s actions are applaudable, there was a section of people who were ought to get the most affected by the lockdown. The migrants & daily wage workers who work hundreds of kilometers away from there home town were left stranded and helpless.
Amidst all the chaos, SpiceJet has come forward and offered to fly the migrants of Delhi & Mumbai to their hometown Bihar.
SpiceJet chairman & MD Ajay Singh said,
We have offered services of its aircraft and crew members to the government for any humanitarian mission during the 21-day lockdown and the airline is ready to operate some flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Patna to alleviate the suffering of migrant workers, especially those from Bihar, its.
Not just SpiceJet, other carriers like IndiGo and GoAir have also offered their aircraft and crew and staff members to the government for any mission required to contain the spread of COVID19 since the domestic and international passenger flights have been banned till 14 April’20 midnight.
According to government statistics, every year more than nine million migrant workers move from India’s rural areas to large population centers to find work at construction sites or factories, sending money back to their home towns and villages.
But with those industries closed by the government lockdown, many have been left with little choice but to attempt the return journey home.
It should also be noted that this week the Indian government pledged $22 billion to support migrant workers trapped without work far away from their homes, including to provide community kitchens and food deliveries. However, there are many migrants who are seeking help in order to reach their homes safe & sound to their families.
