The Delhi government gave the nod to resume construction activities on major public infrastructure projects in the city, government agencies have started preparations to restart work that had been suspended since March 25, when the nationwide lockdown was announced to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). Government departments such as public works department (PWD), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the NBCC-India Ltd, among others, which are helming important infrastructure projects in the city, have started taking an inventory of construction material and availability of labourers at the sites. The PWD is working on important projects such as the construction of a 1.2km tunnel between Mathura Road and the Ring Road, Barapullah Phase-3 elevated road project, Shashtri Park and Seelampur flyovers in north-east Delhi, and the Benito Juarez Road underpass near south campus of the Delhi University, among others.
The government has allowed construction only on those projects where the workforce is “available on-site”. According to PWD estimates, nearly 450 labourers are available at the tunnel construction site near Bhairon Marg, around 200 workers are living at Barapullah Phase-3 elevated corridor project site near Sarai Kale Khan and Yamuna basin near Mayur Vihar-1. Approximately 150 labourers are available at Benito Juarez Road underpass project site, while another 100 are available at Shastri Park and Seelampur flyover construction sites.
The NBCC (India) Ltd, which is in-charge of the Pragati Maidan redevelopment and other central government projects, said it will start the work with the available construction material and labour. The workforce for Pragati Maidan project is staying near the site. The project, which started in July 2017, is scheduled to be ready by the year-end. According to sources, they have also started the assessment process and have enough workforce to restart construction activities. The DMRC had started the construction work of Phase-4 at Haiderpur Badli Mor on December 31, 2019. This work is also expected to resume soon.