Lucknow: A steady stream of migrant sanitation workers from Uttar Pradesh is heading back to Assam ahead of the April 9 Assembly elections, driven by a strong urge to vote and secure their identity, even as their departure threatens to disrupt waste management in several cities.
For many of these workers, casting a vote is not just a civic duty but proof of belonging. The prospect of returning home, standing in line at polling booths and getting their fingers inked carries deep significance. It reassures them that their names remain on electoral rolls and their identity is intact.
This silent migration, however, is beginning to affect daily life in urban areas. Resident Welfare Associations in Lucknow and other cities have started warning of irregular garbage collection and sanitation gaps as sweepers, rag pickers and domestic workers leave in large numbers.
In Bal Vihar Colony in Lucknow, residents say even a brief disruption could spiral into a crisis. “If garbage is not cleared for even two days, the stench becomes unbearable. Stray animals gather and it quickly turns into a health hazard,” said Indu Prakash Sharma, an office-bearer of the local RWA. “We are trying to arrange alternatives, but the dependence on migrant workers is very high.”
Municipal authorities acknowledge the strain. A senior official said a significant share of the sanitation workforce in cities like Lucknow comes from Assam and nearby regions. “When many of them leave at the same time, it creates an immediate vacuum. Backup arrangements are being made, but maintaining normal operations is a challenge,” the official said.