Bhubaneswar, Aug. 31 -- Berhampur: The COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdowns and shutdowns are having a devastating impact on the lives and livelihoods of people. With limited sources of income and deducted salaries, people belonging to middle class and lower middle class are suffering to make the ends meet and coolies (porters) in Odisha's Ganjam district are no exception.

With fewer trains running and less number of passengers preferring to travel in the wake of the pandemic, as many as 50 coolies in the worst COVID-19 -hit Ganjam district are failing to manage two-time meal a day.

"We used to earn Rs 300-400 per day during normal days. But due to the pandemic, no trains halt at Berhampur station which has resulted in the loss of...