As the coronavirus cases decline in India, migrant workers in Nepal’s Sudurpaschim province, a far western state, have started returning back to their respective workplaces in India. Two months back, they all had come back to Nepal following the disastrous second Covid-wave hit India. 

As several states in India went into lockdown, many Nepali workers had lost their jobs and returned back their homes. Now as the virus slows down in both countries, their primary concern is to secure their livelihood. 

In the last two months, over 58,000 people came back to the province. Among them, around one-third have already returned to India so far, local reports said.  

According to a report in The Himalayan Times, hundreds of Nepali people are going to India through Gauriphanta and Gaddachauki border points on a daily basis. Many among them fear as daily cases in India still remain very high. However, in Nepal, they have no hope of getting work in their own province.   

Padam Raj Awasthi, one such worker heading to India, said they urgently needed to earn some money for his family. It is becoming very to feed my family here in Nepal, he added.  

For years, thousands of people of Sudurpashchim province have been working in India. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has jolted their lives like never before. In the last one year alone, they returned to Nepal twice in masses from various Indian cities: first, when India went into a complete lockdown in April; second, when the second wave hit India.  

“This is the fourth time that I am traveling to Maharashtra since the start of the pandemic last year,” Pahal Saud, a resident of the province, was quoted as saying by the Kathmandu Post.  “I came home last year in mid-March. It’s time I go back and earn some money. There is no source of income here.” he added. 

Public transport hasn’t resumed in Nepal yet, however, despite restrictions, people are paying exorbitant prices to vehicles that have vehicle pass, just to reach border points. 

Nepal and India have an open border allowing for free movement of people, for travel and work, without visas or permits. Nepalese can live, own property and conduct business freely in India.