He had not been able to find a gas cylinder, could not afford to keep eating out, and saw no point in staying. The migrant workers are not fleeing, but are quietly and pragmatically retreating, with one eye on the situation and plans to return the moment it stabilises. For four to five days Gupta tried to arrange a gas cylinder, with no luck. (Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)Shaikh has lived in Mumbai since 2005 and works as a door-to-door salesman of cleaning agents. “This gas cylinder is our only lifeline.

Source: Indian Express March 31, 2026 12:22 UTC