We spoke to auto drivers of Mumbai and how they survived amidst complete transport ban during the COVID-19 induced lockdown
Photo for representational purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic led to offices being shut and work from home became the new normal for professionals around the world. Sadly, the autorickshaw drivers of Mumbai didn’t have that option. Most of the people ferrying three-wheelers in the city are migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and apart from their stagnant meters due to a complete transport ban, going back home was an ordeal. As the coronavirus induced lockdown completes a year, we talked to some auto drivers in the city and what hurdles they faced.
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Mahesh Chand. Pic/ Kartik Bhardwaj
‘When I came back rats had cut into the wires of my auto’
Mahesh Chand, 32, didn’t know when he’ll be back as he left for his hometown in Uttar Pradesh’s Allahabad. “I left for Allahabad with seven other fellow autodrivers on March 25. We booked a private car and it cost me Rs 7,000. I put my auto in a private parking space in Santacruz (West) and paid Rs 8,000 for it. After seven months when I came back to retrieve it, I found rats had eaten the start wire of my vehicle. When I asked the manager, he refused to take any responsibility,” he said.
Chand has a wife, two daughters in Class 5 and 9 and a brother, all of his family lives in Allahabad. “Just before the lockdown I had put my daughters in an English medium school. Knowing I’ll be unable to pay the fees once school starts, I put them back into a municipality school. One of their teachers even came to my house and asked me why I pulled them out. I just couldn’t afford it,” he added.
Rajesh Yadav. Pic/ Kartik Bhardwaj
‘I don’t pick up when the bank calls’
Rajesh Yadav, 34, had a premonition about the lockdown, so he left for home to Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi via train on March 6. “I bought this auto with a loan of Rs 2.3 lakh which I have to pay over 5 years at an amount of Rs 4,700 per month. I was unable to pay the amount for the months during the lockdown so they gave me an extension. Although I have started plying my auto since September but the cash is still trickling. The bank calls me for the unpaid amount but I don’t pick up,” said the autorickshaw driver.
Yadav has a wife, three children, three brothers and is the sole breadwinner. “My eldest boy is in Class 9 and two girls are in Classes 5 and 3. I don’t know how will I pay their fees once school reopens,” he added.
Syed Sajid. Pic/ Kartik Bhardwaj
‘My wife pulled us through the lockdown’
Syed Sajid, lives with his wife and two children in Bandra (East). His wife works as a housekeeper for a private company. The lockdown cut their family income in half. “We didn’t know how to manage finances. We were getting free wheat from the government but there were other costs too. Thankfully, my wife still had her job during the lockdown. She helped me pay the EMI for the auto and also my kids’ school fees,” he said.
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