PATNA: Movement of trains started, crowd gathered on the platforms. Migrant families from Bihar descended on Patna Junction with bedding, steel containers, plastic sacks – returning from cities where cooking has become impossible. There was a decision driven by tiredness on the faces and empty cylinders and the search for a flame that cost less than a day’s wages. The sting of LPG shortage.“LPG sellers are charging Rs 500 per kg. This lasts for two days,” said Manoj, a construction worker from Punpun in Patna district, who arrived from New Delhi with his wife and two children. “We couldn’t continue.”Ramu, a Chennai factory employee going to Saharsa, did mathematics. “Two days’ wages for gas to cook one meal. It is better to be unemployed at home than dying of hunger in the big city.”Officials said about 2,500 workers have returned so far, many of whom cited the cost of cooking gas. An estimated 48 lakh migrants in Bihar work in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru and Mumbai. Labor department teams have started panchayat-level surveys to track the returns.The Magadh Express from New Delhi stopped around 12.30 pm on Tuesday, increasing the number of workers going home. By 2.20 pm, Brahmaputra Mail brought another wave. Gujarat to Azimabad Express. Ernakulam Express from the south. Each arrival added to the churning.Danapur reflected the flow – Sanghamitra Express from Bengaluru, Udhna Express from Gujarat – unloading passengers who have been driven away from jobs by rising fuel costs.Many of the returnees are from Siwan, Gopalganj, Madhubani, Darbhanga and Saharsa. The remaining work is spread across construction sites, factories, dhabas and housing complexes. Sonu, a security guard who earns Rs 6,000 per month in Noida, said he ran out of options when his cylinder became empty. “We ate on the streets for a few days. Carrying coal or wood is not allowed in the residential area,” he said.Domestic help Nishi Devi, returning to Bhojpur with three children, counted several days for proper food. “The employer helped first. Then they faced the same crisis. We cannot afford black-market rates and rent. At home, I will cook on cow dung cakes,” she said.The trains kept coming. Vikas, who has been a porter at the station for 12 years, noticed the change in the number of passengers. “Not like the pandemic rush, but the numbers have been going up in the last two weeks,” he said.