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 National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which has taken up the Dwarka expressway project, said 10-15% of their workers have left. “The biggest problem right now is that there is no inflow of new workers, especially skilled labourers. We are trying to build confidence among workers so that they don’t leave,” said an NHAI official.
A senior National Buildings Construction Corporation India official said, “The fear of the disease is forcing people to return to their home states.. . So, the pace of work at our sites has slowed down.”
Meanwhile, construction workers in the unorganised sectors are the worst hit.
Thaneshwar Adigaur, secretary of the Delhi Asangathit Nirman Mazdoor Union, said, “Due to the lockdown, they are unable to find work as construction work is allowed only if labourers live on-site... Due to the spike in cases, there is not much work available... While the government has announced financial assistance, there are many who are still not registered with the board (Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board).”