The Migrant Struggle of Bihar’s Chhath Train Amidst Election Season
The article details the arduous journeys of migrant workers from Bihar returning home for the Chhath festival, highlighting overcrowded trains, lack of basic amenities, and persistent poverty despite their work elsewhere in India. It also discusses the political promises made to these migrants amidst elections, continuing frustrations over job scarcity in Bihar, and the slow pace of development that forces many to migrate annually.
The article chronicles the difficult experience of migrant workers like Manoj Chaudhary and brothers Vikas and Abhishek Kumar, who endure overcrowded, poorly managed Chhath special trains to return home from cities like Pune and Bengaluru. These migrants face long waits, no adequate food or washroom access, risk of theft, and the emotional toll of leaving families behind to seek livelihood elsewhere. Despite Bihar’s rapid infrastructural improvements such as roads and bridges, job opportunities and industries remain scarce, compelling migrants to work in low-paying, insecure labor far from home. Political rhetoric, including promises from BJP and opposition leaders like Tejashwi Yadav and Prashant Kishor, acknowledges these struggles but often fails to translate into substantive change. Migrants remain skeptical of campaign ads touting Bihar’s ‘catching speed’ as they witness slow progress in health, education, and stable employment. The article captures a collective yearning for dignified work within Bihar and reflects the broader socio-economic dilemma of migration shaping the state’s political and cultural fabric during the festival and election season.
