Due to the restrictions imposed to reduce the level of air pollution in Delhi-NCR, the crisis of livelihood for the daily wage laborers involved in construction activities has deepened. Daily wage laborers say that with the implementation of pollution control measures, they fear that it will become difficult for them to arrange food for their children.
Authorities have imposed pollution control measures in Delhi under the fourth phase of the Phased Response Action Plan (GRAP), including construction and demolition, after the air quality index (AQ) in the national capital crossed 450 and entered the ‘severe’ category. Includes restrictions on activities.
Daily wage laborer Suman (45) says, “If we sit at home, what will we eat? What will we feed our children?”
Suman, a mother of two, had recently renewed her labor card in the hope of getting government help, but she says it did not help.
Suman said, “We do not have a government job where we will continue to get salary. “We depend on daily wages, and without work we have nothing.”
There was a thick layer of smog in Delhi on Tuesday and AQI was recorded at 488.
According to construction worker Baburam (63), he was already facing financial crunch and the ban on construction and demolition activities worsened his financial condition. Baburam has the responsibility of maintaining his wife, son and daughter-in-law. He also has a debt of Rs 3 lakh on his head.
Baburam said, “There is no pension for people like me. Schemes like Laadli Bahana are surrounded by corruption, middlemen take everything and we get nothing. If I do not work, there will be a crisis of food for my family.”
The worries of Rajesh Kumar (42) have also increased due to the ban on construction and demolition activities. According to Rajesh, his family in Bihar is dependent on the money he sends home for two meals a day.
Rajesh said, “I have not married yet because I have many responsibilities. I had to take a loan for my sister’s wedding. I have a debt of six lakh rupees on my head.”
He said, “This happens every year. Delhi is badly affected due to pollution. But instead of solving the problem, the government increases problems for people like us.”