According to sources, the rises in cases of coronavirus and the subsequent COVID-19 protocols and restrictions imposed on the city have upset millions of rickshaw-taxi owners whose livelihoods have been affected.
In recent developments, several migrant workers have already left Mumbai as a result of rumours of a fresh lockdown in the city. Moreover, several others are reportedly preparing themselves to leave for their hometown. In addition, as per the rickshaw-taxi associations, many drivers are closing their businesses and leaving the city.
There are about 48,000 taxis and four lakh rickshaws in Mumbai. These vehicles run on the road in two shifts, morning and night. The owner drives in one shift and the driver in the other shift. Some vehicles are in the hands of drivers in both shifts. As a result of the fresh restrictions from 8 pm to 7 am, the drivers in the second shift have to return home empty-handed as there are no customers.
Even though the Maharashtra government is yet to make an announcement as such with regards to a complete lockdown, due to the effects of the lockdown and the subsequent shut down last year, several migrant workers were left stranded without any food or money and have had to walk long stretches or hitched rides to go back home.
Moreover, as per data, between March 2020 and June 2020, more than one crore workers migrated to their respective states on foot. While many workers were injured, some even lost their lives. The information was given in writing in the Lok Sabha on September 22, 2020.
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