Usha

Suresh Solanki, a 55-year-old construction site worker from Someshwar Wadi, Pune, traveled to Toop Takli during the lockdown. His financial strategy involved using savings and securing loans. With information primarily from YouTube, Suresh and his family undertook a 15-20 day journey predominantly on foot, facing exorbitant transportation costs and frequent halts.

They encountered a severe lack of food, water, and shelter, with no support available. Upon arrival, they were placed in temporary quarantine without any health services. The lack of viable work options in their hometown forced them to return to the city for employment. Suresh emphasizes the need for a well-defined timeline to guide blue-collar workers in relocating from cities before future lockdowns to prevent similar hardships.