Lunch-box carriers in Mumbai will start protesting if they are not permitted to travel on local trains. Mumbai’s dabbawalas are struggling for a livelihood because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Earlier, they had asked the Maharastra government to let them travel in local trains so that they can resume their business. Currently, only people who are working for essential services are allowed to travel on local trains.
According to the president of Mumbai Dabbawala Association, “Dabbawalas are also part of essential services are they deliver food to Mumbaikars. And since most officers are now functioning with reduced capacity, people have been asking us to deliver their meals.”
At present, dabbawalas are delivering food to South Mumbai on their cycles and the meals are being delivered keeping in mind all the safety norms. “We have been demanding financial assistance of Rs 5,000 per dabbawala from the state government, similar to what the construction workers had received,” he added about the proposal discussed in the state cabinet but no action has been taken.
There are around 4,500 to 5,000 dabbawalas who deliver two lakh tiffins every day to Mumbai from suburban areas. “Never before in the 130-year-old history of the tiffin services, has there been a six-month break. We ensure that office-goers get their meals on time and take the empty lunch boxes back to their homes,” he added.
During the lockdown period, only social organizations and volunteers have supported the dabbawalas financially because of which they are able to survive in these hard times, they were given money and essentials.
Recently, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leaders were seen traveling in local trains which is only available for essential service staff.
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