Exodus of non-local labourers results in cost escalation of building material

SRINAGAR: Private construction work is in full bloom in Kashmir but the exodus of non-local labourers after the abrogation of Article 370 has resulted in cost escalation of building material, according to industry players here. Besides the hike in wages of daily labourers, there has been 15% to 25% increase in the costs of bricks, sand, stone and cement.

“Before the shutdown in Kashmir began on August 5, I purchased bricks for ₹18,000 per truck. However, the same truckload of bricks is now costing me ₹22,500,” Manzoor Ahmad, a private work contractor, told PTI.

He said the price escalation has happened due to shortage of brick kiln workers, who fled the Valley in view of the advisory issued by the government ahead of the decision to revoke Article 370.

With local cement factories not operating due to the prevailing situation, only cement imported from outside the Valley is currently available in the market.

“For the first few weeks of the shutdown, the rates of cement remained stable as there were stocks of local cement available in the market. However, later on, the rates of imported cement went up by ₹100 per bag of 50kg,” Dar said.

Ghulam Mohammad Wani, a mason, said he is finding it hard to fulfil his contractual obligations due to the rise in wages of local labourers after August 5.

“I used to pay ₹500 per day to each labourer. Since the exodus of the non-locals, the local labourers are demanding ₹600 per day, which has disturbed my calculations,” Wani said.

The government construction work has been badly affected as the local contractors say they will be making losses if they carry on the work at present rates.