| Abstract: | Internal migration has become a major feature of India’s urbanization. Although migration may provide access to employment, it often produces insecure work, homelessness, and social exclusion among economically disadvantaged households. Women migrants are particularly vulnerable because gender inequality intersects with poverty, informal employment, lack of documentation, and inadequate housing. This study examines the migration experiences, livelihoods, vulnerabilities, and survival strategies of migrant women living under the Hastings Flyover in Kolkata. The study adopted a qualitative, phenomenological, and participatory research design. A complete enumeration of 45 migrant households comprising 211 individuals, including 96 women and adolescent girls, was undertaken. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and participant observation. Thematic analysis was used to interpret migration trajectories, livelihood patterns, access to services, gender-based violence, and coping mechanisms. The findings indicate that poverty, unemployment, landlessness, indebtedness, declining agricultural opportunities, and family distress were the principal causes of migration. After arriving in Kolkata, most women entered low-paid informal occupations such as domestic work, rag picking, vending, waste recycling, and daily wage labour. However, insecure employment and the absence of affordable housing compelled families to remain under the flyover. Women faced inadequate sanitation, unsafe living conditions, limited healthcare, exclusion from welfare schemes, domestic violence, harassment, and fear of trafficking. The absence of identity documents and proof of residence further restricted their access to food security, education, healthcare, and social protection. Despite these hardships, women demonstrated resilience through collective support, shared childcare, informal borrowing, information exchange, and mutual assistance during illness and violence. The study argues that migration, gender, and urban poverty must be addressed together through gender-responsive migration policies, affordable housing, portable welfare benefits, accessible documentation, livelihood security, and rights-based urban governance. |
