23 December 2008
YJA/CORRES/12/08
To,
Sri Tejendra Khanna,
Hon'ble Lt Governor of Delhi
Raj Niwas
DELHI
Respected Sir,
Greetings from Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan.
Sir, we have just been informed that the few Yamuna Satyagrahis camping entirely peacefully in a small ramshackled hut next to NH 24 behind Akshardham in support of the river Yamuna have been served with an eviction notice by the PWD to quit within 2 days failing which they would be removed forcibly. They have also been informed that the said order for eviction has originated from your good offices.
Sir, kindly recall that the Yamuna Satyagrah started and led by Magsaysay awardee Sri Rajendra Singh, in support of the life line river of this ancient city has been going on peacefully for over 500 days at the said site. Also to our best knowledge the said site is not part of any developmental plans of the PWD or any other agency of the state. So we fail to understand the motivation if any, of the PWD for serving the said notice of eviction on them.
We are also more than convinced that the said order could not have originated from your good offices in view of your being in full knowledge of the ground situation and the fact that the river Yamuna and by implication any such group working for its safety and security has your full sympathy and support.
May we accordingly request you on behalf of the Satyagrahis, that your honour may like to get the facts verified and to then direct the PWD to annul the said notice.
Wishing you, your family and friends, “A Merry Christmas & A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009”.
With warm regards,
Manoj Misra
Convenor
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Probe on as 2,000 trees cut to set up colony (Indian Express 13 November 2008)
Authorities in Uttarakhand have initiated a probe into the alleged illegal felling of more than 2,000 trees over the last six months near Gajana village in New Tehri. The felling, allegedly for developing a new private colony, apparently took place in connivance with officials of the Forest Department in the district. According to sources, the colony is being developed by one Virender Singh Sajwan alias Pappu and some senior forest officers supposedly have plots in the colony.
“I have ordered a probe into this serious matter. The information is that more than 2,000 trees were chopped while the permission was sought for cutting only 40 trees. I have detailed the Additional District Magistrate and Chief Development Officers to go to the spot and count the trees that have been chopped,” said Tehri District Magistrate Saujanya. She has called for all the notifications and orders related to the development of the colony. “We need to investigate what permissions were sought and what was granted over the period of time,” the DM said.
“I have ordered a probe into this serious matter. The information is that more than 2,000 trees were chopped while the permission was sought for cutting only 40 trees. I have detailed the Additional District Magistrate and Chief Development Officers to go to the spot and count the trees that have been chopped,” said Tehri District Magistrate Saujanya. She has called for all the notifications and orders related to the development of the colony. “We need to investigate what permissions were sought and what was granted over the period of time,” the DM said.
Move to exploit Yamuna flood plain area decried (Thr Tribune 14 December 2008)
Hundreds of people in the city today protested against the state’s intention to sell the Yamuna’s sandy flood plains. On an average, the flood plain in the Delhi stretch of the river Yamuna is 40 m deep. The structure of the river makes it an ideal sponge for recharge of the city’s ground water.
Ironically the same sand that makes the flood plain an invaluable natural resource and city’s lifeline is seen as a kind of waste land waiting to be exploited by the DDA.
“Yamuna flood plain area in Delhi is currently threatened by the builder lobby in league with the state and central governments. We need to stop them from doing this,” said Kartik Vishnoi.
Moreover, an example of the avarice of the state is the construction of the Games Village for the Commonwealth Games 2010 on the same sand.
“Valued several crores per flat, these developments are turning the flood plain into a concrete haven at peril to the city bringing loads of money to the agencies but destroying our life,” said Manisha Gulati, 32.
Ironically the same sand that makes the flood plain an invaluable natural resource and city’s lifeline is seen as a kind of waste land waiting to be exploited by the DDA.
“Yamuna flood plain area in Delhi is currently threatened by the builder lobby in league with the state and central governments. We need to stop them from doing this,” said Kartik Vishnoi.
Moreover, an example of the avarice of the state is the construction of the Games Village for the Commonwealth Games 2010 on the same sand.
“Valued several crores per flat, these developments are turning the flood plain into a concrete haven at peril to the city bringing loads of money to the agencies but destroying our life,” said Manisha Gulati, 32.
खेल गांव बना नाक का सवाल, समय पर पूरा होगा काम (Danik Jagran 17 December 2008)
खेल गांव का निर्माण समय पर पूरा कराए जाने का मामला डीडीए की नाक का सवाल बना हुआ है। वैसे इसके निर्माण कार्य को लेकर शुरू से ही बाधाएं आती रहीं। डीडीए के अधिकारी भी मानते हैं कि निर्माण कार्य समय पर पूरा कराना अब बहुत आसान नहीं है। क्योंकि कार्य समय पर पूरा कराने के लिए बहुत-सी चुनौतियां हैं। बावजूद इसके वे समय पर काम पूरा कराएंगे। चाहे इसके लिए रात-दिन ही काम क्यों न करना पड़े। खेल गांव में क्या-क्या हैं योजनाएं और इसके निर्माण में कब-कब आई हैं बाधाएं, डालते हैं एक नजर।
क्या-क्या होने हैं विकास कार्य
खिलाड़ियों के ठहरने के लिए बनाई जाने वाली रिहायशी क्षेत्र का अभी 67 फीसदी काम शेष है। खिलाड़ियों के लिए बनाए जाएंगे 1168 फ्लैट। दुबई की कंपनी एमआरएमजीएफ द्वारा यहां पर दो, तीन, चार व पांच कमरों वाले फ्लैट बनाए जा रहे हैं। कामनवेल्थ में दो सौ विकलांग खिलाड़ी भी भाग लेंगे। इनके ठहरने के लिहाज से सुविधाजनक फ्लैट बनाए जाएंगे।
स्थायी निर्माण के तहत अन्य योजनाओं का अभी शुरू नहीं हुआ कार्य
एक किलोमीटर तक बिछाई जाने वाली सीवर लाइन, 3 किलोमीटर की जल बोर्ड की लाइन, पुश्ता रोड का विस्तार व साढ़े 4 किलोमीटर की इंटरनल रोड के काम का वर्क अवार्ड हो गया है। निर्माण कार्य शीघ्र शुरू होगा। जबकि पै्रक्टिस वैन्यू, इलैक्ट्रिक सबस्टेशन, तरणताल, एथलेटिक ट्रेक व इंडोर हॉल का फाउंडेशन वर्क हो गया है।
अस्थायी निर्माण का छह माह बाद शुरू होगा कार्य
अस्थाई निर्माण में ट्रांसपोर्ट हॉल व इंटरनेशनल जोन का निर्माण छह माह बाद शुरू होगा। डीडीए के अधिकारियों का कहना है कि ये बड़े कार्य नहीं हैं। इनका कार्य सबसे बाद में शुरू किया जाएगा।
कब-कब खेल गांव के लिए आई अड़चनें
खेल गांव के निर्माण के लिए 60 एकड़ भूमि में से दिल्ली विकास प्राधिकरण के पास 48 हैक्टेयर भूमि उपलब्ध थी, जबकि साढ़े 12 हैक्टेयर भूमि यूपी से चाहिए थी। 2005 में यूपी सरकार ने डीडीए को भूमि देने के लिए 5 लाख रुपये एकड़ के हिसाब से दाम मांगे। बाद में 2006 में इस दाम को कई गुना बढ़ा दिया। इस पर डीडीए ने इस दाम पर भी यूपी सरकार को अवगत कराया कि चैक बना है आप डिमांड भेजिए, मगर डिमांड नहीं आया। बाद में केंद्र सरकार के हस्तक्षेप के बाद भूमि डीडीए को मिल सकी।
विभिन्न एनजीओ के लोग कर रहे आंदोलन
खेल गांव के निर्माण के विरोध में विभिन्न एनजीओ के लोग दे रहे हैं धरना। मैग्सेसे पुरस्कार से सम्मानित राजेंद्र सिंह द्वारा चलाए गए यमुना सत्याग्रह आंदोलन के बैनर तले ये पिछले 506 दिनों से यमुना खादर में निर्माण स्थल के पास धरना दे रहे हैं।
दिल्ली उच्च न्यायालय द्वारा कुछ दिन पहले खेल गांव के निर्माण से पर्यावरण पर पड़ने वाले असर का आकलन करने के लिए कमेटी बनाए जाने का आदेश दिया था। जिसे लेकर डीडीए ने सर्वोच्च न्यायालय में अपील की है।
डीडीए की निदेशक जनसंपर्क नीमोधर कहती हैं कि खेल गांव का निर्माण समय पर पूरा होगा। इसकी सभी योजनाएं ठीक तरह से चल रही हैं।
क्या-क्या होने हैं विकास कार्य
खिलाड़ियों के ठहरने के लिए बनाई जाने वाली रिहायशी क्षेत्र का अभी 67 फीसदी काम शेष है। खिलाड़ियों के लिए बनाए जाएंगे 1168 फ्लैट। दुबई की कंपनी एमआरएमजीएफ द्वारा यहां पर दो, तीन, चार व पांच कमरों वाले फ्लैट बनाए जा रहे हैं। कामनवेल्थ में दो सौ विकलांग खिलाड़ी भी भाग लेंगे। इनके ठहरने के लिहाज से सुविधाजनक फ्लैट बनाए जाएंगे।
स्थायी निर्माण के तहत अन्य योजनाओं का अभी शुरू नहीं हुआ कार्य
एक किलोमीटर तक बिछाई जाने वाली सीवर लाइन, 3 किलोमीटर की जल बोर्ड की लाइन, पुश्ता रोड का विस्तार व साढ़े 4 किलोमीटर की इंटरनल रोड के काम का वर्क अवार्ड हो गया है। निर्माण कार्य शीघ्र शुरू होगा। जबकि पै्रक्टिस वैन्यू, इलैक्ट्रिक सबस्टेशन, तरणताल, एथलेटिक ट्रेक व इंडोर हॉल का फाउंडेशन वर्क हो गया है।
अस्थायी निर्माण का छह माह बाद शुरू होगा कार्य
अस्थाई निर्माण में ट्रांसपोर्ट हॉल व इंटरनेशनल जोन का निर्माण छह माह बाद शुरू होगा। डीडीए के अधिकारियों का कहना है कि ये बड़े कार्य नहीं हैं। इनका कार्य सबसे बाद में शुरू किया जाएगा।
कब-कब खेल गांव के लिए आई अड़चनें
खेल गांव के निर्माण के लिए 60 एकड़ भूमि में से दिल्ली विकास प्राधिकरण के पास 48 हैक्टेयर भूमि उपलब्ध थी, जबकि साढ़े 12 हैक्टेयर भूमि यूपी से चाहिए थी। 2005 में यूपी सरकार ने डीडीए को भूमि देने के लिए 5 लाख रुपये एकड़ के हिसाब से दाम मांगे। बाद में 2006 में इस दाम को कई गुना बढ़ा दिया। इस पर डीडीए ने इस दाम पर भी यूपी सरकार को अवगत कराया कि चैक बना है आप डिमांड भेजिए, मगर डिमांड नहीं आया। बाद में केंद्र सरकार के हस्तक्षेप के बाद भूमि डीडीए को मिल सकी।
विभिन्न एनजीओ के लोग कर रहे आंदोलन
खेल गांव के निर्माण के विरोध में विभिन्न एनजीओ के लोग दे रहे हैं धरना। मैग्सेसे पुरस्कार से सम्मानित राजेंद्र सिंह द्वारा चलाए गए यमुना सत्याग्रह आंदोलन के बैनर तले ये पिछले 506 दिनों से यमुना खादर में निर्माण स्थल के पास धरना दे रहे हैं।
दिल्ली उच्च न्यायालय द्वारा कुछ दिन पहले खेल गांव के निर्माण से पर्यावरण पर पड़ने वाले असर का आकलन करने के लिए कमेटी बनाए जाने का आदेश दिया था। जिसे लेकर डीडीए ने सर्वोच्च न्यायालय में अपील की है।
डीडीए की निदेशक जनसंपर्क नीमोधर कहती हैं कि खेल गांव का निर्माण समय पर पूरा होगा। इसकी सभी योजनाएं ठीक तरह से चल रही हैं।
Monday, December 15, 2008
Rivers of filth (Hindustan Times 08/11/2008)
Thirty- one per cent of Indian rivers and water bodies contain an alarming level of bacterial contamination, according to an analysis of the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB), which monitors water quality at 1,245 locations in the country.
The analysis said the quality of water of the rivers like the Yamuna in Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh, the Ganga in Kanpur, the Sabarmati in Ahmedabad and the Satluj in Punjab was not fit for human consumption.
Coming only a few days after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared the Ganga as India’s national river, the watchdog blamed India’s urban centres for pollution. It said municipal corporations were not able to treat the increasing load of the sewage flowing into rivers.
In Delhi, more than half the city’s sewage flows into the Yamuna without adequate treatment, turning the Yamuna into the country’s most bacteria contaminated river. Urban sewage is also a major cause of the pollution of the Sabarmati and the Hindon near Ghaziabad and Noida in Uttar Pradesh.
A Planning Commission report on wastewater management said only 30 per cent of the wastewater released into Indian rivers and lakes was treated.
The CPCB said organic pollution indicators, the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and the chemical oxygen demand (COD), were found to be considerably high near large urban centres due to the discharge of partly treated or untreated wastewater.
However, the CPCB found that the overall water quality had slightly improved during the last decade, but the pathogenic (bacterial) pollution level was still rising. Pathogenic pollution is the major cause for water-borne diseases, which kill more than four lakh children every year in India.
In 66 per cent of the monitoring centres, the total coliform — a bacterial pollution indicator — increased from 53 per cent in 2006 from as low as 48 per cent in 1999.
The analysis said the quality of water of the rivers like the Yamuna in Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh, the Ganga in Kanpur, the Sabarmati in Ahmedabad and the Satluj in Punjab was not fit for human consumption.
Coming only a few days after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared the Ganga as India’s national river, the watchdog blamed India’s urban centres for pollution. It said municipal corporations were not able to treat the increasing load of the sewage flowing into rivers.
In Delhi, more than half the city’s sewage flows into the Yamuna without adequate treatment, turning the Yamuna into the country’s most bacteria contaminated river. Urban sewage is also a major cause of the pollution of the Sabarmati and the Hindon near Ghaziabad and Noida in Uttar Pradesh.
A Planning Commission report on wastewater management said only 30 per cent of the wastewater released into Indian rivers and lakes was treated.
The CPCB said organic pollution indicators, the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and the chemical oxygen demand (COD), were found to be considerably high near large urban centres due to the discharge of partly treated or untreated wastewater.
However, the CPCB found that the overall water quality had slightly improved during the last decade, but the pathogenic (bacterial) pollution level was still rising. Pathogenic pollution is the major cause for water-borne diseases, which kill more than four lakh children every year in India.
In 66 per cent of the monitoring centres, the total coliform — a bacterial pollution indicator — increased from 53 per cent in 2006 from as low as 48 per cent in 1999.
‘No threat to C’wealth Games, cricket WC’ ( Hindu 03 December 2008)
India will host the 2010 Commonwealth Games and cricket’s World Cup in 2011 as scheduled despite security concerns after the Mumbai terror attacks, top officials said on Tuesday.
Indian Olympic Association secretary-general Randhir Singh said there was no threat to the Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi from October 3-14, 2010.
“What happened in Mumbai is tragic, but sport must go on and we are determined to host the Games,” Singh, a member of the International Olympic Committee said.
“There will be high security for the Games as is common at most international sporting events. There is no cause to worry.
“The Olympic torch relay in New Delhi earlier this year went off without a problem despite demonstrations because the security was very tight.”
The 2010 event is only the second time the four-yearly Games have been awarded to an Asian city, the first being the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur in 1998.
The cricket World Cup in 2011, to be jointly hosted by the four South Asian Test nations, was thrown in doubt after diplomatic tensions escalated between India and Pakistan over the Mumbai attacks which left 188 dead.
Pawar confident
But India’s Sharad Pawar, a federal minister who takes over as president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2010, dismissed speculation the tournament was under threat. “There is still some time for that and I am confident our government will take corrective actions,” Pawar told the CNN-IBN news channel. “In the near future, you will see a totally different situation where all precautionary measures are taken and nobody will dare to show this kind of courage here.”
Kalmadi’s take
Meanwhile, Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi quashed the rumours saying the apprehension was baseless.
International media reported that security fears were clouding the Delhi Games — raising the prospect of a switch.
“Security is a major issue. What is disturbing is that this (trend) has been continuing for the last nine months. In that backdrop, we continue to assess the situation, although we have not taken a definitive position,” Commonwealth Games Federation (CWGF) Chief Executive Mike Hooper was quoted as saying in the media.
“We have our own security consultants who would continue to monitor the situation in the country,” he said and added that “One can only speculate. It’s still too premature to comment on that (transferring the Games).”
When contacted, CWG organising Committee Chairman Kalmadi said that there was no chance of the Games being relocated. “The Games will be held in Delhi in 2010 in October. All the infrastructure is being readied for the event which is still around two years away,” Kalmadi said. — Agencies
Indian Olympic Association secretary-general Randhir Singh said there was no threat to the Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi from October 3-14, 2010.
“What happened in Mumbai is tragic, but sport must go on and we are determined to host the Games,” Singh, a member of the International Olympic Committee said.
“There will be high security for the Games as is common at most international sporting events. There is no cause to worry.
“The Olympic torch relay in New Delhi earlier this year went off without a problem despite demonstrations because the security was very tight.”
The 2010 event is only the second time the four-yearly Games have been awarded to an Asian city, the first being the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur in 1998.
The cricket World Cup in 2011, to be jointly hosted by the four South Asian Test nations, was thrown in doubt after diplomatic tensions escalated between India and Pakistan over the Mumbai attacks which left 188 dead.
Pawar confident
But India’s Sharad Pawar, a federal minister who takes over as president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2010, dismissed speculation the tournament was under threat. “There is still some time for that and I am confident our government will take corrective actions,” Pawar told the CNN-IBN news channel. “In the near future, you will see a totally different situation where all precautionary measures are taken and nobody will dare to show this kind of courage here.”
Kalmadi’s take
Meanwhile, Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi quashed the rumours saying the apprehension was baseless.
International media reported that security fears were clouding the Delhi Games — raising the prospect of a switch.
“Security is a major issue. What is disturbing is that this (trend) has been continuing for the last nine months. In that backdrop, we continue to assess the situation, although we have not taken a definitive position,” Commonwealth Games Federation (CWGF) Chief Executive Mike Hooper was quoted as saying in the media.
“We have our own security consultants who would continue to monitor the situation in the country,” he said and added that “One can only speculate. It’s still too premature to comment on that (transferring the Games).”
When contacted, CWG organising Committee Chairman Kalmadi said that there was no chance of the Games being relocated. “The Games will be held in Delhi in 2010 in October. All the infrastructure is being readied for the event which is still around two years away,” Kalmadi said. — Agencies
Labourer killed at Games village in the Capital (Delhi Special 15 December 2008)
Construction company’s office allegedly vandalised
A segment of the crane used for lifting construction material came crashing down
Investigations reveal that the construction work at the residential block had been sub-contracted
A 28-year-old labourer was crushed to death when a segment of a mobile crane collapsed at the construction site of Commonwealth Games village in the trans-Yamuna area on Sunday. Irate labourers then allegedly vandalised the construction company’s office and damaged some vehicles.
The incident took place around 9-30 a.m. when construction work was going on at the residential block of the Commonwealth Games village. A segment of the crane used for lifting construction material suddenly came crashing down. The broken piece fell on a labourer killing him on the spot. He was identified as Shailendra Kumar, a resident of Gurdaspur in Punjab.
Other labourers at the spot alleged that another fellow labourer, Manish, was also injured. However, the police said they were not informed about it.
The body of the labourer was swiftly removed. Soon more labourers gathered at the spot and suddenly turned violent, vandalising the security room.
They also allegedly tried to set it on fire and damaged an ambulance and some other vehicles parked there, following which they entered the project office and vandalised it.
The labourers alleged that accidents had taken place at the construction site earlier also but the police were not informed and the matter was kept under wraps.
The police rushed to the spot around 11-15 a.m. and calmed down the labourers assuring them of appropriate action against those found guilty.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the construction work at the residential block had been sub-contracted.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (East Delhi) Shankar Das said: “The body of the labourer has been kept in the mortuary and post-mortem will be conducted on Monday. As for allegations of vandalism, we have not received any formal complaint from the aggrieved party.”
The police have registered a case of causing death due to negligence and have initiated investigations to fix responsibility.
“We could not question any senior official as none of them was present at the spot on Sunday,” said Mr. Das.
The police will also ascertain if there was any truth in the allegations about inadequate safety measures at the construction site.
A segment of the crane used for lifting construction material came crashing down
Investigations reveal that the construction work at the residential block had been sub-contracted
A 28-year-old labourer was crushed to death when a segment of a mobile crane collapsed at the construction site of Commonwealth Games village in the trans-Yamuna area on Sunday. Irate labourers then allegedly vandalised the construction company’s office and damaged some vehicles.
The incident took place around 9-30 a.m. when construction work was going on at the residential block of the Commonwealth Games village. A segment of the crane used for lifting construction material suddenly came crashing down. The broken piece fell on a labourer killing him on the spot. He was identified as Shailendra Kumar, a resident of Gurdaspur in Punjab.
Other labourers at the spot alleged that another fellow labourer, Manish, was also injured. However, the police said they were not informed about it.
The body of the labourer was swiftly removed. Soon more labourers gathered at the spot and suddenly turned violent, vandalising the security room.
They also allegedly tried to set it on fire and damaged an ambulance and some other vehicles parked there, following which they entered the project office and vandalised it.
The labourers alleged that accidents had taken place at the construction site earlier also but the police were not informed and the matter was kept under wraps.
The police rushed to the spot around 11-15 a.m. and calmed down the labourers assuring them of appropriate action against those found guilty.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the construction work at the residential block had been sub-contracted.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (East Delhi) Shankar Das said: “The body of the labourer has been kept in the mortuary and post-mortem will be conducted on Monday. As for allegations of vandalism, we have not received any formal complaint from the aggrieved party.”
The police have registered a case of causing death due to negligence and have initiated investigations to fix responsibility.
“We could not question any senior official as none of them was present at the spot on Sunday,” said Mr. Das.
The police will also ascertain if there was any truth in the allegations about inadequate safety measures at the construction site.
Labourer crushed to death as crane lifter snaps at Commonwealth Village site (Indian Express 15 December 2008)
Family, workers allege negligence, say mishaps are routine
A 27-year-old labourer working at the Commonwealth Village site was crushed to death when a crane lifter fell on him on Sunday morning.
The police said Shailendra Singh, who worked for Ahluwalia Constructions, was loading cement blocks in the crane lifter when the mishap occurred.
“The lifter was being hauled up when it suddenly broke down, allegedly because it was overloaded, and fell on Shailendra,” a senior police officer said.
He was rushed to hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Singh was a resident of Pandav Nagar area in East Delhi and had been working with the construction company for the last few years.
As news of his death spread, fellow workers stopped work and protested before the branch office of the construction company.
They damaged the office and demanded compensation for Singh’s family. The angry workers did not even spare the ambulance, as it reached late, and damaged it too.
Singh’s family too gathered at the spot to protest and demanded compensation.
Jyot Singh, his brother, said: “Labourers are being treated like animals here. For a paltry pay, they have to work day and night without proper precautionary arrangements at high-risk sites. The incident too occurred because of negligence and we want an unbiased probe.”
A worker at the same site alleged the construction company had been negligent and that there were no safety arrangements for workers.
“Many incidents take place every day and many workers suffer injuries. The construction company does not pay attention to this,” a worker said on condition of anonymity.
The police confirmed that the incident occurred because of negligence on part of the staff operating the crane.
The police said one V P Singh, claiming to be the legal advisor of the company, said the company did not know of any Shailendra Singh.
Later, he was reportedly beaten up by the angry workers.
DCP (East District) Shankar Dass said, “We have registered a case against the company and are investigating the matter.”
Shailendra Singh belonged to Gurdaspur district of Punjab and lived with his younger brother here.
His body has been sent to the Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital for a postmortem examination
A 27-year-old labourer working at the Commonwealth Village site was crushed to death when a crane lifter fell on him on Sunday morning.
The police said Shailendra Singh, who worked for Ahluwalia Constructions, was loading cement blocks in the crane lifter when the mishap occurred.
“The lifter was being hauled up when it suddenly broke down, allegedly because it was overloaded, and fell on Shailendra,” a senior police officer said.
He was rushed to hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Singh was a resident of Pandav Nagar area in East Delhi and had been working with the construction company for the last few years.
As news of his death spread, fellow workers stopped work and protested before the branch office of the construction company.
They damaged the office and demanded compensation for Singh’s family. The angry workers did not even spare the ambulance, as it reached late, and damaged it too.
Singh’s family too gathered at the spot to protest and demanded compensation.
Jyot Singh, his brother, said: “Labourers are being treated like animals here. For a paltry pay, they have to work day and night without proper precautionary arrangements at high-risk sites. The incident too occurred because of negligence and we want an unbiased probe.”
A worker at the same site alleged the construction company had been negligent and that there were no safety arrangements for workers.
“Many incidents take place every day and many workers suffer injuries. The construction company does not pay attention to this,” a worker said on condition of anonymity.
The police confirmed that the incident occurred because of negligence on part of the staff operating the crane.
The police said one V P Singh, claiming to be the legal advisor of the company, said the company did not know of any Shailendra Singh.
Later, he was reportedly beaten up by the angry workers.
DCP (East District) Shankar Dass said, “We have registered a case against the company and are investigating the matter.”
Shailendra Singh belonged to Gurdaspur district of Punjab and lived with his younger brother here.
His body has been sent to the Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital for a postmortem examination
Labourer crushed to death as crane lifter snaps at Commonwealth Village site (Indian Express 15 December 2008)
Family, workers allege negligence, say mishaps are routine
A 27-year-old labourer working at the Commonwealth Village site was crushed to death when a crane lifter fell on him on Sunday morning.
The police said Shailendra Singh, who worked for Ahluwalia Constructions, was loading cement blocks in the crane lifter when the mishap occurred.
“The lifter was being hauled up when it suddenly broke down, allegedly because it was overloaded, and fell on Shailendra,” a senior police officer said.
He was rushed to hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Singh was a resident of Pandav Nagar area in East Delhi and had been working with the construction company for the last few years.
As news of his death spread, fellow workers stopped work and protested before the branch office of the construction company.
They damaged the office and demanded compensation for Singh’s family. The angry workers did not even spare the ambulance, as it reached late, and damaged it too.
Singh’s family too gathered at the spot to protest and demanded compensation.
Jyot Singh, his brother, said: “Labourers are being treated like animals here. For a paltry pay, they have to work day and night without proper precautionary arrangements at high-risk sites. The incident too occurred because of negligence and we want an unbiased probe.”
A worker at the same site alleged the construction company had been negligent and that there were no safety arrangements for workers.
“Many incidents take place every day and many workers suffer injuries. The construction company does not pay attention to this,” a worker said on condition of anonymity.
The police confirmed that the incident occurred because of negligence on part of the staff operating the crane.
The police said one V P Singh, claiming to be the legal advisor of the company, said the company did not know of any Shailendra Singh.
Later, he was reportedly beaten up by the angry workers.
DCP (East District) Shankar Dass said, “We have registered a case against the company and are investigating the matter.”
Shailendra Singh belonged to Gurdaspur district of Punjab and lived with his younger brother here.
His body has been sent to the Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital for a postmortem examination
A 27-year-old labourer working at the Commonwealth Village site was crushed to death when a crane lifter fell on him on Sunday morning.
The police said Shailendra Singh, who worked for Ahluwalia Constructions, was loading cement blocks in the crane lifter when the mishap occurred.
“The lifter was being hauled up when it suddenly broke down, allegedly because it was overloaded, and fell on Shailendra,” a senior police officer said.
He was rushed to hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Singh was a resident of Pandav Nagar area in East Delhi and had been working with the construction company for the last few years.
As news of his death spread, fellow workers stopped work and protested before the branch office of the construction company.
They damaged the office and demanded compensation for Singh’s family. The angry workers did not even spare the ambulance, as it reached late, and damaged it too.
Singh’s family too gathered at the spot to protest and demanded compensation.
Jyot Singh, his brother, said: “Labourers are being treated like animals here. For a paltry pay, they have to work day and night without proper precautionary arrangements at high-risk sites. The incident too occurred because of negligence and we want an unbiased probe.”
A worker at the same site alleged the construction company had been negligent and that there were no safety arrangements for workers.
“Many incidents take place every day and many workers suffer injuries. The construction company does not pay attention to this,” a worker said on condition of anonymity.
The police confirmed that the incident occurred because of negligence on part of the staff operating the crane.
The police said one V P Singh, claiming to be the legal advisor of the company, said the company did not know of any Shailendra Singh.
Later, he was reportedly beaten up by the angry workers.
DCP (East District) Shankar Dass said, “We have registered a case against the company and are investigating the matter.”
Shailendra Singh belonged to Gurdaspur district of Punjab and lived with his younger brother here.
His body has been sent to the Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital for a postmortem examination
Inadequate safety measures, accidents go hand in hand (Hindustan Times 15 December 2008)
With less than two years to Commonwealth Games, the city has turned into a mega construction site. But the frequency of accidents at these sites has become a worrying trend.
Two months back, an under construction segment of Metro's overhead line collapsed, killing two and injuring over a dozen. On Sunday, part of a construction crane crashed on a labourer at the Commonwealth Village site, killing him on the spot.
Why so many accidents? Experts said it is poor safety arrangements and lack of monitoring at construction sites that is leading to these frequent accidents. Safety precaution manuals are prepared and included in the contract between the developer and construction contractor but there is little check on how many safety clauses are actually followed, they said.
"It is very easy to have a safety contract but problems arise when it comes to implementation. Construction jobs are actually carried by sub-contractors or sub-sub-contractors who are often not trained enough to implement safety clauses," said Pradeep Chaturvedi, former chairman, Safety and Quality Forum.
What could be done? The experts also called for proper training and certification of construction workers at the level of labourers and masons. The check on safety and worthiness of machines and equipment used and lack of training and awareness of safety procedures among unskilled labour are two procedures contractors often ignore.
"Safety at construction sites has to be monitored regularly and ensured in a systematic and scientific manner. The construction area and area where huge machines operate have to be properly segregated to ensure safety," said S.L. Gupta, a safety advisor.
Toothless laws Ironically, while construction has come up as one of the biggest industries across the country, there is no act or regulatory authority to ensure safety aspect as well as welfare of construction workers. It is the industrial safety department of the Ministry of Labour, which has laid down the guidelines, while the erring contractors and companies are penalised under the factories act.
In case of death or injuries to a worker, the compensation is decided under the Workman Compensation Act. Experts said these agencies play more of an advisory role and hardly have any statutory powers to act tough against the companies.
A new law "The Ministry of Urban Development is now working on a construction law. The ministry has already prepared the draft.
Till that act becomes law, it is important that in cases of accidents, it is not just the contractor, the developer should also be held responsible. There is a need to develop safety culture in India and workforces should be trained and certified," Chaturvedi said
Two months back, an under construction segment of Metro's overhead line collapsed, killing two and injuring over a dozen. On Sunday, part of a construction crane crashed on a labourer at the Commonwealth Village site, killing him on the spot.
Why so many accidents? Experts said it is poor safety arrangements and lack of monitoring at construction sites that is leading to these frequent accidents. Safety precaution manuals are prepared and included in the contract between the developer and construction contractor but there is little check on how many safety clauses are actually followed, they said.
"It is very easy to have a safety contract but problems arise when it comes to implementation. Construction jobs are actually carried by sub-contractors or sub-sub-contractors who are often not trained enough to implement safety clauses," said Pradeep Chaturvedi, former chairman, Safety and Quality Forum.
What could be done? The experts also called for proper training and certification of construction workers at the level of labourers and masons. The check on safety and worthiness of machines and equipment used and lack of training and awareness of safety procedures among unskilled labour are two procedures contractors often ignore.
"Safety at construction sites has to be monitored regularly and ensured in a systematic and scientific manner. The construction area and area where huge machines operate have to be properly segregated to ensure safety," said S.L. Gupta, a safety advisor.
Toothless laws Ironically, while construction has come up as one of the biggest industries across the country, there is no act or regulatory authority to ensure safety aspect as well as welfare of construction workers. It is the industrial safety department of the Ministry of Labour, which has laid down the guidelines, while the erring contractors and companies are penalised under the factories act.
In case of death or injuries to a worker, the compensation is decided under the Workman Compensation Act. Experts said these agencies play more of an advisory role and hardly have any statutory powers to act tough against the companies.
A new law "The Ministry of Urban Development is now working on a construction law. The ministry has already prepared the draft.
Till that act becomes law, it is important that in cases of accidents, it is not just the contractor, the developer should also be held responsible. There is a need to develop safety culture in India and workforces should be trained and certified," Chaturvedi said
Supreme Court extends stay on High Court order (Hindu 16. December 2008)
Stalling construction in the Commonwealth Games village
The Supreme Court on Monday extended the interim stay of the orders passed by the Delhi High Court stalling constructions in the Commonwealth Games village on the banks of river Yamuna in the Capital for holding the Games in 2010.
During ‘mentioning’ on December 5, a Bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice P. Sathasivam had stayed till Monday the orders dated November 3 and all further proceedings relating to the constitution of a committee to go into the environmental aspects on the construction activities in the village.
On Monday, the bench extended the stay. Regarding constitution of a committee to examine the constructions in the village, the Bench said it would take up the issue later and pass appropriate orders.
When the matter was taken up Solicitor General G.E. Vahanvati, appearing for the Delhi Development Authority submitted that the High Court had passed the orders about nine months after reserving judgment.
If the order was given effect to, it would seriously jeopardise the very conduct and holding of the Commonwealth games, for which a commitment had been made to the Commonwealth Federation.
“Shadow on the Games”
He said the direction on setting up of a committee would virtually put a halt on the constructions and had created an uncertainty and cast a shadow on the Games.
Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanian, appearing for the organising committee said that 71 countries would participate in the Games and “we are going to face claims from all the competing countries if the Games are not held as scheduled and we are under an obligation to pay damages.”
Senior counsel T.R. Andhyarujina, for the Union Sports Ministry, senior counsel Abhishek Singhvi for the Delhi government and senior counsel Harish Salve and Arun Jaitley, for private builders explained how the impugned orders would jeopardise the Games.
In its special leave petition, the DDA said the directions issued by the High Court seemed to suggest that the CWG was being constructed on a river bed/flood plain. It said when expert and scientific bodies had given a categorical finding that the site in question was not a river bed or a flood plain.
On the direction to appoint a committee, the DDA said the fate of the CWG village could not be left to be decided by the committee which had no expertise in matters relating to the classification of the site in question.
The SLP sought quashing of the two orders and the related proceedings in the High Court.
The Supreme Court on Monday extended the interim stay of the orders passed by the Delhi High Court stalling constructions in the Commonwealth Games village on the banks of river Yamuna in the Capital for holding the Games in 2010.
During ‘mentioning’ on December 5, a Bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice P. Sathasivam had stayed till Monday the orders dated November 3 and all further proceedings relating to the constitution of a committee to go into the environmental aspects on the construction activities in the village.
On Monday, the bench extended the stay. Regarding constitution of a committee to examine the constructions in the village, the Bench said it would take up the issue later and pass appropriate orders.
When the matter was taken up Solicitor General G.E. Vahanvati, appearing for the Delhi Development Authority submitted that the High Court had passed the orders about nine months after reserving judgment.
If the order was given effect to, it would seriously jeopardise the very conduct and holding of the Commonwealth games, for which a commitment had been made to the Commonwealth Federation.
“Shadow on the Games”
He said the direction on setting up of a committee would virtually put a halt on the constructions and had created an uncertainty and cast a shadow on the Games.
Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanian, appearing for the organising committee said that 71 countries would participate in the Games and “we are going to face claims from all the competing countries if the Games are not held as scheduled and we are under an obligation to pay damages.”
Senior counsel T.R. Andhyarujina, for the Union Sports Ministry, senior counsel Abhishek Singhvi for the Delhi government and senior counsel Harish Salve and Arun Jaitley, for private builders explained how the impugned orders would jeopardise the Games.
In its special leave petition, the DDA said the directions issued by the High Court seemed to suggest that the CWG was being constructed on a river bed/flood plain. It said when expert and scientific bodies had given a categorical finding that the site in question was not a river bed or a flood plain.
On the direction to appoint a committee, the DDA said the fate of the CWG village could not be left to be decided by the committee which had no expertise in matters relating to the classification of the site in question.
The SLP sought quashing of the two orders and the related proceedings in the High Court.
Sheila reviews progress of three Games sites (Hindu 16 December 2008)
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit visiting a Commonwealth Games site in New Delhi on Monday.
In keeping with her priority on winning the Delhi Assembly elections for the record third term, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday visited three different Commonwealth Games project sites to review the progress of the ongoing construction work.
The Chief Minister, who was accompanied by Special Advisor Commonwealth Games, Principal Secretary, Municipal Commissioner, PWD Secretary and top officers from CPWD and Sports Authority of India went to Thyagraj Stadium, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Indira Gandhi Stadium during the day and enquired about the plans and status of different projects.
Eager to make the Commonwealth Games in 2010 a grand success, Ms. Dikshit also issued directions for installation of uniform sign boards and putting into place fool-proof security measures.
At the Thyagraj Sports Complex, which is being re-developed after dismantling the old structure, she was informed that the Rs. 297 crore work would enhance the seating capacity to 5,000 people in competition area and 825 in the training area for netball apart from 1,000 in the grand stand for athletics.
The complex would have all green building features. It will be used as a multi-purpose venue for sport and non-sport events in legacy. The construction, she was told, is progressing one month ahead of the schedule. Here Ms. Dikshit asked the MCD to give a facelift to the neighbouring localities.
Ms. Dikshit also visited JLN Stadium, where up-gradation, renovation and new construction works are in progress. This stadium would be used for opening and closing ceremonies and three competitive events. New lawn bowls with four synthetic competition greens and seating capacity for 2,500 spectators and a new multi-purpose air-conditioned auditorium for weight lifting with seating capacity of 2,500 people are also being constructed here.
The main stadium would have a capacity of 60,000 people and spectators would be able to reach this venue through two nearby Delhi Metro stations. The complex would also have a new administrative block, national dope testing laboratory and a media centre.
This is going to be disabled-friendly and environment-friendly complex with state-of-the-art infrastructure and finishes.
At the Indira Gandhi Stadium the present gymnastics stadium is being renovated and a new wrestling stadium and cycling velodrome are coming up. The renovated Gymnastics Stadium would have a capacity of 16,000 people and the new Wrestling Stadium would seat 7,500 persons. Both these structures would be completed in December, 2009 while the new Velodrome Stadium having a capacity of 4,000 people would be ready by March 2010.
All these three venues would have state-of-the-art sports lighting, a public address system, fire-fighting and fire alarm systems, air-conditioning and lifts. They would also have a well-developed media centre.
During her visit, the officials said the rugby events would be hosted at Delhi University where athletics training facilities are also being provided. And the Talkatora Stadium would be used for swimming and boxing events.
In keeping with her priority on winning the Delhi Assembly elections for the record third term, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday visited three different Commonwealth Games project sites to review the progress of the ongoing construction work.
The Chief Minister, who was accompanied by Special Advisor Commonwealth Games, Principal Secretary, Municipal Commissioner, PWD Secretary and top officers from CPWD and Sports Authority of India went to Thyagraj Stadium, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Indira Gandhi Stadium during the day and enquired about the plans and status of different projects.
Eager to make the Commonwealth Games in 2010 a grand success, Ms. Dikshit also issued directions for installation of uniform sign boards and putting into place fool-proof security measures.
At the Thyagraj Sports Complex, which is being re-developed after dismantling the old structure, she was informed that the Rs. 297 crore work would enhance the seating capacity to 5,000 people in competition area and 825 in the training area for netball apart from 1,000 in the grand stand for athletics.
The complex would have all green building features. It will be used as a multi-purpose venue for sport and non-sport events in legacy. The construction, she was told, is progressing one month ahead of the schedule. Here Ms. Dikshit asked the MCD to give a facelift to the neighbouring localities.
Ms. Dikshit also visited JLN Stadium, where up-gradation, renovation and new construction works are in progress. This stadium would be used for opening and closing ceremonies and three competitive events. New lawn bowls with four synthetic competition greens and seating capacity for 2,500 spectators and a new multi-purpose air-conditioned auditorium for weight lifting with seating capacity of 2,500 people are also being constructed here.
The main stadium would have a capacity of 60,000 people and spectators would be able to reach this venue through two nearby Delhi Metro stations. The complex would also have a new administrative block, national dope testing laboratory and a media centre.
This is going to be disabled-friendly and environment-friendly complex with state-of-the-art infrastructure and finishes.
At the Indira Gandhi Stadium the present gymnastics stadium is being renovated and a new wrestling stadium and cycling velodrome are coming up. The renovated Gymnastics Stadium would have a capacity of 16,000 people and the new Wrestling Stadium would seat 7,500 persons. Both these structures would be completed in December, 2009 while the new Velodrome Stadium having a capacity of 4,000 people would be ready by March 2010.
All these three venues would have state-of-the-art sports lighting, a public address system, fire-fighting and fire alarm systems, air-conditioning and lifts. They would also have a well-developed media centre.
During her visit, the officials said the rugby events would be hosted at Delhi University where athletics training facilities are also being provided. And the Talkatora Stadium would be used for swimming and boxing events.
Three faces of 2010 build-up (Indian Express 16.December 2008)
How are the city’s mega-projects faring in the run-up to the 2010 deadline. MANDAKINI GEHLOT looks at three sites
Commonwealth Games Village
As one pulls into the driveway leading up to the Commonwealth Games Village site, security guards in plain clothes tell visitors to proceed at their own risk. “The labourers are protesting and they got pretty violent yesterday,” Vishnu Yadav, a security guard from GI Security, says.
A day after an accident at the site left one labourer dead, all work seems to have come to a standstill. Joined by union leaders in their protest, most workers at the site have refused to carry on with their work, unless a list of demands is met.
Foremost on their list of demands is that a minimum compensation of Rs 5 lakh be given to the victim’s family. “Shailendra Singh, the labourer who lost his life because he did not have proper safety equipment, has a brother who is also employed by Ahluwalia Construction and works at this site. They should be given proper compensation to start with,” Amjad Hassan, general secretary of the Delhi Asangthit Nirman Mazdoor Union, a little known group, says.
Next on their list is a call to strictly adhere by labour laws. “They are not given ISI approved helmets. The ones they are given are flimsy and break easily, in which case labourers are asked to pay Rs 200 for another one. There is no provision for sturdy safety belts or proper shoes. They live in ghastly conditions and are not even paid minimum wage. Most labourers here earn only Rs 80 for a 12-hour shift,” Hassan says.
It is almost impossible to verify these allegations, as a swarm of labourers overpower the security guards, who in any case were not putting up too much of a fight, and throw open the huge gates leading into the under construction residential complexes at the site.
Shailendra lost his life at 9 am on Sunday at the base of Tower No. 10. His helmet still lies there broken, as does the crane lifter full of huge cement blocks that fell on him. “Yesterday, after they took his body away, they piled up mud here so the blood stains are not visible,” Raju Ghadiyal (26), another labourer employed at the site, says.
Emaar-MGF, the principal agency involved in the construction at the site, reckons that all will be back to normal soon. “Our team has been discussing the situation with the labourers and I am certain a suitable compensation will be announced shortly. All work at the site will begin soon,” an Emaar-MGF spokesperson said.
Officials at Emaar-MGF certainly seem worried about union leaders who are descending on the site. “The feeling is that elements from the outside are causing unrest here. We want to resolve the situation but for now, the labour union leaders seem to have a sway over the labourers,” an official from Emaar said on condition of anonymity.
Vasant vihar flyover
Even as protests at the Games site and the ghost of an unfortunate incident at the Laxmi Nagar Metro station site seem to have intervened in the efforts to get these projects off the ground, all seems well at this particular site. When Newsline visited the spot, workers seemed to be in the midst of digging out one portion of the road. Construction has been going on at the site for almost a year and a half and most labourers seem satisfied with their working conditions.
“They give us helmets and shoes and most of us get paid between Rs 100 and Rs 150 for a 12-hour shift. The only problem is that they do not provide us with medicine when we are unwell,” Sanjay Kumar (26), a labourer at the site, said.
Laxmi nagar metro
Three months after an accident at this site left two people dead and a dozen injured, work has yet to resume here. The site wears a deserted look and there are absolutely no labourers to be spotted. “It is not as if all work has stopped on the site. We are just bringing in our launchers from the other end and are certain of meeting our target for the completion of the Laxmi Nagar Metro station, which is October 2009,” Anuj Dayal, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) spokesperson, says.
Meanwhile, residents living around the Metro site wonder if work will ever resume. “It has been three months now and after they cleared the rubble from here, there has been no effort to get on with the construction. This place has become a massive bottleneck,” Vikas Kakkar (27), a resident of the area, says.
Commonwealth Games Village
As one pulls into the driveway leading up to the Commonwealth Games Village site, security guards in plain clothes tell visitors to proceed at their own risk. “The labourers are protesting and they got pretty violent yesterday,” Vishnu Yadav, a security guard from GI Security, says.
A day after an accident at the site left one labourer dead, all work seems to have come to a standstill. Joined by union leaders in their protest, most workers at the site have refused to carry on with their work, unless a list of demands is met.
Foremost on their list of demands is that a minimum compensation of Rs 5 lakh be given to the victim’s family. “Shailendra Singh, the labourer who lost his life because he did not have proper safety equipment, has a brother who is also employed by Ahluwalia Construction and works at this site. They should be given proper compensation to start with,” Amjad Hassan, general secretary of the Delhi Asangthit Nirman Mazdoor Union, a little known group, says.
Next on their list is a call to strictly adhere by labour laws. “They are not given ISI approved helmets. The ones they are given are flimsy and break easily, in which case labourers are asked to pay Rs 200 for another one. There is no provision for sturdy safety belts or proper shoes. They live in ghastly conditions and are not even paid minimum wage. Most labourers here earn only Rs 80 for a 12-hour shift,” Hassan says.
It is almost impossible to verify these allegations, as a swarm of labourers overpower the security guards, who in any case were not putting up too much of a fight, and throw open the huge gates leading into the under construction residential complexes at the site.
Shailendra lost his life at 9 am on Sunday at the base of Tower No. 10. His helmet still lies there broken, as does the crane lifter full of huge cement blocks that fell on him. “Yesterday, after they took his body away, they piled up mud here so the blood stains are not visible,” Raju Ghadiyal (26), another labourer employed at the site, says.
Emaar-MGF, the principal agency involved in the construction at the site, reckons that all will be back to normal soon. “Our team has been discussing the situation with the labourers and I am certain a suitable compensation will be announced shortly. All work at the site will begin soon,” an Emaar-MGF spokesperson said.
Officials at Emaar-MGF certainly seem worried about union leaders who are descending on the site. “The feeling is that elements from the outside are causing unrest here. We want to resolve the situation but for now, the labour union leaders seem to have a sway over the labourers,” an official from Emaar said on condition of anonymity.
Vasant vihar flyover
Even as protests at the Games site and the ghost of an unfortunate incident at the Laxmi Nagar Metro station site seem to have intervened in the efforts to get these projects off the ground, all seems well at this particular site. When Newsline visited the spot, workers seemed to be in the midst of digging out one portion of the road. Construction has been going on at the site for almost a year and a half and most labourers seem satisfied with their working conditions.
“They give us helmets and shoes and most of us get paid between Rs 100 and Rs 150 for a 12-hour shift. The only problem is that they do not provide us with medicine when we are unwell,” Sanjay Kumar (26), a labourer at the site, said.
Laxmi nagar metro
Three months after an accident at this site left two people dead and a dozen injured, work has yet to resume here. The site wears a deserted look and there are absolutely no labourers to be spotted. “It is not as if all work has stopped on the site. We are just bringing in our launchers from the other end and are certain of meeting our target for the completion of the Laxmi Nagar Metro station, which is October 2009,” Anuj Dayal, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) spokesperson, says.
Meanwhile, residents living around the Metro site wonder if work will ever resume. “It has been three months now and after they cleared the rubble from here, there has been no effort to get on with the construction. This place has become a massive bottleneck,” Vikas Kakkar (27), a resident of the area, says.
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