New Delhi, May 29, 2020: Realtors welcomed the MoU signed by the industry bodies with the UP government that will help alleviate the migrant labour problem. The step taken by the Uttar Pradesh government is the right push at the time when India is grappling with the possibility of employment loss for the lakhs of labourers.
Realtors are looking at it as the solution for developers who are facing exodus of labourers after they were provided means to commute. “Many projects are facing this problem. Developers took care of the labourers but the moment government provided trains and buses, many labourers decided to leave for their hometowns. In some cases more than 50 per cent of the laborers have left. Now we hope the work will be back on track as soon as possible,” says Rakesh Yadav, MD, Antriksh India.
“Similar model can be adopted by other states too and realtors would be happy to oblige. The sector needs labor to finish the projects as fast as possible and these kind of initiatives will help expedite the process of getting the right skilled labourers,” says Nayan Raheja of Raheja Developers.
Even during the complete lockdown the sector was very particular about the problems of labourers and tried their best by providing them with help. “During the lockdown almost all the major developers ensured that the migrant labourers should not face food, shelter, health problems. Arrangements were made for them at various constructions sites, and volunteers of various real estate firms were helping them by reaching out to various slums and bastis. Now when we are looking at lockdown being lifted soon and construction already being started, the requirement of labourers will increase and if state governments come forward then real estate sector can absorb quite a few labourers and contribute their bit towards solving the issue,” says Ashok Gupta, CMD, Ajnara India.
Around 26 lakh labourers went back to UP amid the lockdown. “We have to think of such out-of-the-box solutions to bring back economy on track. Real estate is always ready to lend a helping hand. Government should also look at the demands of relief package, loan restructuring, ITC, etc, so that the sector can contribute significantly to the development,” says Ankit Kansal, MD and CEO, 360 Realtors.
Appreciating the measure of UP Government, Dhruv Agarwala, Group CEO, Housing.com, Makaan.com & PropTiger.com, says, “Such steps would help the real estate sector start constructing at a faster pace. The deliveries will be on time and thereby maintaining the goodwill of the sector that has been trying to meet the housing demand. It will specially help the affordable segment, which is going to see an increased demand post lockdown as middle class has realized the importance of owning a home.”
Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)
