MARGAO: The panic of uncertainty went viral among migrants since the lockdown was declared by the government as they were found making a beeline in the railway station to return to their home towns.
Migrants particularly from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar rushed to the Konkan Railway Station at Margao to return to their home town. Large crowd was seen at the station spilling over on the footpaths outside the station premises.
These migrants had not purchased tickets and many were just hoping to get on the train scheduled later in the evening. “We shall pay the ticket collector whatever has to be paid but we want to return to our home town,” said one group of migrants from Bihar.
Last time railways had to organize special trains to take the migrants from Goa back to their home states.
The lockdown has pressed a panic button for the locals of Margao too, however strategic the Government has been. Though it is categorically said that essential and grocery shops would run normally, the news fluttered the Margao locals to jump into panic buying fretting if it is extended.
A large crowd had gathered at the Bhagayatdar outlet at Arlem where people were buying excess stock because they feared that the lockdown would be extended after May 3.
“Why take a risk as the lockdown is bound to be extended as the second wave of covid is supposed to peak in mid May and hence the lockdown will continue at least till then,” said a lady who did not want to be named.
However Margao New Market didn’t have to endure such frenzied rush
