Delhi workers describe lost earnings after police barricades block commutes

Police barricades in central Delhi prevented some workers from reaching their jobs on October 10. Construction workers, an electrician and retail employees told The Hindu they faced losing a day's earnings.

Barricades were placed on routes to Jantar Mantar ahead of a protest against electoral-roll revision and demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation. People travelling to work were also affected.

Ram Kishan Mandal, 36, said he and other construction workers were stopped near India Gate around 9:30 a.m. Their employer suggested walking to the site, but police would not let them through. Mandal said floods had destroyed his home in Bihar and his family needed money to rebuild.

Electrician Mukesh Chauhan, 47, could not pass a barricade near Nizamuddin. He said he earned about 9,000 rupees a month, faced losing the day's pay and had already spent 100 rupees on petrol.

Office worker Akashna Mishra, 23, had to explain her journey at three checkpoints. She had recently started a job and had not received an identity card, while the lack of internet access prevented her from obtaining electronic documents.

P.V. Aniyan, secretary of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions in Delhi, said daily-wage and platform workers were particularly affected. His assessment and the interviews describe the consequences of the restrictions without establishing a total financial loss.