The Great Shutdown

On 24 March 2020, after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, a complete nationwide lockdown was announced in India. In addition to other restrictions, which included suspension of air travel and long- and short-distance modes of transport, it was decided that the Indian Railways would no longer operate. The shutting down of the almost 68,000 kilometre-long railway network severed, in many cases, the only link for people with their home states.

The Great Shutdown closely examines the re...