The Dark Truth Behind the Donkey Route: Crores Spent, Lives Lost !

In recent years, a growing number of people from India and other South Asian countries have been risking their lives and spending crores of rupees to migrate illegally to Western nations like Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom through what is commonly known as the “Donkey Route” or “Dunki Route.” This underground network, run by human traffickers, involves sneaking migrants through multiple countries, often via treacherous terrains, with the hope of reaching a developed country where they can live and work. But the question remains—why are so many people willing to spend ₹30 to ₹80 lakhs, sometimes even more, on such a risky and uncertain journey?

The answer lies primarily in the desire for a better life. In rural and small-town India, economic opportunities are limited, unemployment is high, and wages are low. For many, the dream of going abroad symbolizes not just financial stability but also respect, freedom, and upward mobility. Legal migration, however, is often out of reach due to strict visa rules, language requirements like IELTS, educational qualifications, and the need for job offers from abroad. When legal routes are blocked, desperate individuals turn to agents and traffickers who offer the Donkey Route as an alternative—a secret shortcut that bypasses embassies and paperwork.

These agents often exploit people’s desperation by promising guaranteed success, safe passage, and jobs waiting on arrival. Families, under social pressure and the illusion of success abroad, sell land, take large loans, or exhaust their savings to send someone overseas. The influence of neighbors or relatives who have migrated—sometimes illegally but are now seen living a better lifestyle—also plays a significant role in encouraging others to follow suit. What many don’t realize is the harsh and often tragic reality of the Donkey Route. Migrants are flown to countries in Latin America, then made to cross through multiple nations on foot, by boat, or through forests and deserts. One of the most dangerous parts of the journey is the Darien Gap, a dense jungle between Colombia and Panama, where hundreds have died due to wild animals, hunger, disease, or violence.

Even those who survive the journey face detention, deportation, or exploitation in foreign countries. Many end up working illegally, without rights or protection, constantly living in fear of being caught. The emotional trauma, financial loss, and sometimes even death go unspoken, while their rare success stories continue to glamorize the journey back home. This dangerous cycle continues because of lack of awareness, limited local opportunities, and aggressive marketing by traffickers. While it is understandable for people to want a better life, the Donkey Route is a dangerous and uncertain path that often leads to suffering. Governments and communities must work together to educate people, offer safer legal migration options, and improve job opportunities at home—so that fewer people feel forced to gamble their future, and their lives, on such perilous journeys.