Infra projects in Delhi stare at delays amid labour exodus

NEW DELHI: The gradual extension of the lockdown in Delhi and declaration of similar curbs in other states have had a visible effect on construction projects -both public and private -- in the city as many workers return to their home states, forcing officials to rework a few project completion deadlines.

Unlike last year, when hundreds of thousands walked back to their hometowns during the nationwide lockdown, construction agencies say that workers have left in batches this time. While some left around Holi, many went to cast their vote during the state and panchayat elections. A large number of workers left since the lockdown was announced on April 19.

On Sunday, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal extended the lockdown till May 17 and promised to tighten its enforcement.

In the past 10 days, Inamul Haq, a private labour contractor, has helped over 100 construction workers associated with him return home. “The workers feared a repeat of what happened last year,” he said. Haq, too, doesn’t want them to stay: “Last year, close to 150 of my workers were stuck in Delhi. I took care of their food and stay.

But now I can’t do it. I’ll call them back once the situation normalises here.”

The slow and gradual reverse migration has slowed down infrastructure projects, once again, in the city. Though construction work is allowed on sites where in-situ arrangement is made for workers, various government agencies say that the work has got affected due to insufficient labour.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which is undertaking work on Phase-4 project, said the number of workers at their sites has come down from about 4,100 (on April 18) to around 2,900 in the last week of April. Anuj Dayal, executive director, corporate communications, DMRC, said, “We are hopeful that they will return with the gradual improvement in the overall Covid scenario.”

At the Pragati Maidan redevelopment site, the work is moving at a snail’s pace, as the number of workers has trickled down from 2,500 in March to around 600 now. LC Goyal, chairman and managing director of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), said, “While close to 1,000 workers left during Holi and have not returned, some left during the recent state elections. Many workers left after the lockdown was announced in April.”

The deadline for the ₹2,700crore Pragati Maidan redevelopment project was revised last year to March 2022. “We will have to rework the deadlines,” he added.

A major part of Pragati Maidan or ITPO redevelopment is the ₹777-crore traffic regulation project, undertaken by Delhi government’s Public Works Department. However, the spike in Covid-19 cases and lockdown has scared workers, said a senior PWD official. “We had around 500 workers before the lockdown, which is down to 200 now... Almost every day we find workers missing. This has affected the pace of work,” said the official, requesting anonymity.

The Central Public Works Department (CPWD), which is the nodal agency for the construction of the new Parliament building and the redevelopment of Central Vista, is also facing a shortage of workers. Though the contractors for the ambitious projects have made arrangements for the stay of labourers, CPWD officials said the pace of work has been affected. A senior CPWD official said, “Labour is not available at sites in enough numbers...”

The NHAI, which has taken up the Dwarka expressway project, said 10-15% of their workers have left.