NEW DELHI, Mar 22: The consequences of the West Asia Conflict became visible in Surat, Gujarat, as a large number of migrant workers crowded the Udhna Railway Station near Surat junction to return to their native villages due to non-availability of LPG cylinders to cook their food.

Several migrant workers said they were forced to return to their home, despite the availability of work, as they were facing severe difficulties regarding cooking gas for several days.

They alleged that the gas was currently being sold at ₹500 per kilogram, making it unaffordable to purchase, forcing them to go without food for several days. “We are going to the village because we have not been getting gas for the last few days. Our companies are also shutting down… We don’t have money, that’s why we are going back. Nobody is helping us here… We will return once the gas supply resumes.

Many people are going back,” a migrant worker Pappu said. Another migrant worker, Radha Devi, claimed that she has been trying to get gas for the past fifteen days without any results. “I am going back to my village because of the gas issue… Our accounts are getting closed… And we do not have money. We haven’t been getting gas for the last 15 days. Our gas ran out a week ago, and then it was announced that there was a gas shortage. After that, we informed the gas agency, but we are still not getting it. My daughter and I are going back, while my husband and two children are being left here. We are not getting even the small cylinders,” she said.

Another migrant workers Anant said the room owners have prohibited them from cooking food using wood, which can damage the rooms. “The gas price is 500 per kg. What can we do? We are looking for gas for the past four days but haven’t received any. We used to cook by using woods but the room owner has prohibited us. We will come back when things return to normal,” he said. Even though the workers seek to return after the restoration of the gas supply, the sudden migrations have created a shortage of workers for textile companies.

Meanwhile, India is actively engaging with global partners to safeguard its energy security and the safety of Indian nationals in the Gulf as tensions in West Asia continue to disrupt trade and logistics. In view of the disruptive situations, the Central government has also announced a financial relief package of ₹497 crores aimed at helping exporters affected by disruptions in West Asia.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the ongoing situation has posed challenges for countries across the world. “It has been a testing time not just for us, but for the entire global community. Our leaders have been in touch with their counterparts,” Mr Jaiswal said. India is continuing to coordinate with stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies and the safety of its citizens in the Gulf region, he added.

(Rohit Kumar)