With relaxation extended for on-site construction, the stranded migrant labourers in the national capital have started to gradually see some light after over 40 days of nationwide lockdown forced them out of work.
The construction activities in the national capital were at a standstill soon after the nationwide lockdown. But just two days after the Delhi government ordered relaxation for construction activities, the deserted construction sites have started to spring back to life.
In areas like CR Park’s A block construction activities have started to gradually return back to normal, with the few labourers who were staying on the construction site during the lockdown, continuing the construction work that was left during the lockdown.
However, the sight of cement rolling machines, labourers setting bricks is still not as common as it was before the lockdown, but construction workers and builders see the start as a good sign for the economy.
“For 40 days we were dependent on food provided by the government, we had run out of money in the very initial days of lockdown. But now with contractors telling us that work will resume, this is a relief,” said Baburam who hails from Rampur and was stranded on a construction site in Dayanand Colony area of south Delhi.
Baburam and four other workers were living on the construction site during the lockdown and with recent relaxation many other workers like them who were stranded on sites can now resume work.
Even in areas like MP flats, the construction activities have started but with a smaller workforce, the supervisors here still claim that this is at least better than a complete brake on activities.
“At least we are working, our workers will get paid, we will get paid despite the crawling speed things are at least getting normal,” a supervisor here said as he requested anonymity.
The Delhi government on Sunday had allowed construction work in the national capital to start, with conditions that no worker was to travel for work, leaving in-situ construction as the only alternative.
“The construction activities will be allowed to operate where workers are available on site and no workers are required to be brought in from outside,” the government order read.
