Thousands of migrant workers from West Bengal employed in Tiruppur’s knitwear sector began leaving for their home state to cast votes in the upcoming Assembly elections, leading to heavy rush and overcrowding at railway stations.
Tiruppur: With the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled on April 23 and the second phase on April 29, migrant workers from West Bengal employed in Tiruppur have started returning home in large numbers to exercise their franchise.
Tiruppur, known as the knitwear capital of India, is home to over four lakh migrant workers from states including Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam and Uttar Pradesh, many of whom are employed in garment and baniyan manufacturing units.
Officials estimate that more than 50,000 workers from West Bengal alone are expected to travel back for polling.
As a result, Tiruppur railway station witnessed huge crowds on Sunday morning, with passengers rushing to board trains including the Vivek Express services operating toward eastern India and trains heading to Chennai for onward connections.
All compartments, including reserved coaches, were reportedly packed beyond capacity. In visuals that drew attention, several passengers were seen hanging from footboards and crowding train entrances in their eagerness to reach home and vote.
The heavy rush also led to jostling among passengers as they competed for space inside the trains. Despite the risky travel conditions, many workers said they were determined to cast their votes.
More than 20 police personnel were deployed at the station to manage the crowd and maintain order.
Tiruppur, known as the knitwear capital of India, is home to over four lakh migrant workers from states including Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam and Uttar Pradesh, many of whom are employed in garment and baniyan manufacturing units.
Officials estimate that more than 50,000 workers from West Bengal alone are expected to travel back for polling.
As a result, Tiruppur railway station witnessed huge crowds on Sunday morning, with passengers rushing to board trains including the Vivek Express services operating toward eastern India and trains heading to Chennai for onward connections.
All compartments, including reserved coaches, were reportedly packed beyond capacity. In visuals that drew attention, several passengers were seen hanging from footboards and crowding train entrances in their eagerness to reach home and vote.
The heavy rush also led to jostling among passengers as they competed for space inside the trains. Despite the risky travel conditions, many workers said they were determined to cast their votes.
More than 20 police personnel were deployed at the station to manage the crowd and maintain order.