A rapidly escalating gas crisis, triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following the US-Israeli war against Iran that began on 28 February, is forcing tens of thousands of India's internal migrant workers to abandon major cities and return to their home villages. India imports roughly 60% of its natural gas, a significant portion of which transits through the Strait of Hormuz, and the resulting shortage has paralysed street food stalls and pushed urban living costs beyond the reach of low-wage workers — with some reporting gas bills approaching their entire monthly salary. Departure numbers at key Delhi railway stations have surged by 30% in just two weeks, and the crisis is being felt across India's estimated 50 million internal migrants, many of whom say they have no choice but to return to subsistence farming in states such as Bihar and Maharashtra.