Train shortage to Bihar derails voting plans of migrants in city

HYDERABAD: A large number of migrant labourers from Bihar working in Hyderabad and its surrounding districts are likely to miss their chance to vote in the state assembly elections scheduled for Nov 6 and 11. The reason: shortage of trains.Currently, there’s only one daily train from Hyderabad to Bihar. Even the 10-odd special trains are fully booked with long waiting lists, and the few available seats are in AC coaches cost between Rs 2,000 and Rs 2,500. While the Centre had announced 12,000 special trains to Bihar for the elections, the plan has not been implemented yet.

“It’s easier to travel to Dubai than to Bihar,” said Vikas Singh, a business analyst from Gopalganj working in Kompally. “Earlier, fares of special trains were high only during festivals, but now they are unaffordable throughout the year,” he added. As per rough estimates, Hyderabad is home to 10 lakh to 12 lakh migrant workers from Bihar, the majority of them employed in construction, industrial, and informal sectors.

“It is impossible for us to travel to Arrah,” said Sanjay Singh, a construction worker, sharing how many like him are also short on leaves after visiting home for Chhath puja — a major festival in Bihar. “I came back only last week. My contractor won’t grant me more leave. And even if he did, I can’t afford the ticket now,” he said. “We want to vote, but everything — time, money, trains — is against us,” he added.Amid this, members of the Bihar association in Hyderabad said the community is closely following the developments back home. “Many of them are aware, willing to vote, and want to participate for better jobs and education,” said Raju Ojha, president of the Bihar Samaj Seva Sangh, urging authorities to improve its system, such as better rail connectivity, which will enable more people to participate in the electoral process.While feeling helpless about not being able to travel, many migrants expressed hope that the next govt in Bihar will focus more on employment. “The govt must create jobs locally. If we had jobs back home, we wouldn’t need to struggle like this every election,” said Arjun from Begusarai, working at a construction site in Nanakramguda.