Smiles behind masks, orderly lines, social distancing as stranded migrants arrive home

ThePrint's photographers capture moments of students, workers and families arriving in their home states of Bihar and West Bengal via special trains.

Migrants returning from Ajmer flash the thumbs-up sign as they arrive at Dankuni | Photo: Ashok Nath Dey | ThePrint

Danapur/Dankuni: Over the last few days, migrant workers, students and families stranded across the country are being ferried to their home states on special trains, arranged by the central government at the behest of the states.

The moment of arrival of two such trains, at Danapur in Bihar and Dankuni in West Bengal, was captured by ThePrint’s Suraj Singh Bisht and Ashok Nath Dey respectively. The train to Bihar had originated in Kota, Rajasthan, while the one to Bengal came from Ajmer, also in Rajasthan.

Here’s a glimpse at the emotions that flowed as migrants came “home”.

Migrants deboard the train with their luggage as police guards look on in Dankuni | Photo: Ashok Nath Dey | ThePrint

A man draws circles for people to stand in and maintain physical distance at Danapur | Photo: Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

Migrant workers exit the Danapur station | Photo: Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

Families and children leave the Danapur station, maintaining social distance | Photo: Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

Workers head out of Danapur station in an orderly line | Photo: Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

A migrant workers smiles behind his mask as he leaves for home in a bus | Photo: Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

Migrant workers maintain distance from each other as they leave Danapur station | Photo: Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint