NAREDCO urge builders to set up isolation facilities for construction workers

NOIDA: Developers of all real estate projects in the twin cities and Yamuna Expressway region have been asked to create isolation facilities for Covid-affected workers at their construction sites, builders’ body Naredco said on Thursday.

While over 25% migrant workers have left the district for their hometowns, there are still around a lakh people working at some 250 under-construction project sites in these cities currently.

The isolation wards at construction sites will have basic medical amenities, including beds, wheelchairs, oximeters and sanitisers. Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway authorities have directed Naredco to help in setting up these wards so that these facilities can provide contingency support to Covid-affected workers before the serious cases are shifted to hospitals.

RK Arora, president of Naredco-UP, told TOI, “The initiative has been taken under the direction of the authorities of Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway. We are facilitating this initiative and so far have instructed builders to create isolation facilities for workers at the 250 ongoing project sites in these three urban areas. The aim is to provide basic support to affected workers before they are taken to the nearest medical facilities.”

However, according to builders, no major outbreak of Covid has been reported from any particular construction site so far. Builders have, however, said that construction timings would be affected because of the ongoing pandemic.

“So far, there are no reports of any major Covid 19 breakout at any site. However, a reduction in the available workforce and a supply chain disruption during the lockdown period have affected the pace of work at project sites and completion timelines. The projects are likely to get delayed,” Credai-NCR president Pankaj Bajaj said.

Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway together have over two lakh units under various stages of construction. UP-Rera has already taken cognizance of the problem, but has so far not offered any specific relaxation to builders in terms of deadline extensions.