Bangalore Metro work to be stopped: High Court orders
Bangalore metro works may again be in the limelight, since the Karnataka High Court is likely to issue orders to BMRC to stop the construction work in the city. The sole reason for such a downside is the violation of the labour laws by BMRC in regard to the metro work. On observing that breaching of the labour laws is equivalent to a violation of human rights, the High Court tipped off the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation that it will put the Namma project work to a halt if the contractors do not go along with the labour laws. As an attempt to curb such violation, the government has asked the authority to put up with a list of all the sub-contractors and contractors involved in the project along with the total number of workers. BMRC, which is responsible for the safety of the workers it employs, lacks improved facilities at work. To add to it, a number of contractors without a license or permit, are reported to be employed by BMRC. In this regard, the High Court has launched prosecution for any such violation of rules.
Metro workers health hazards
Negligence towards health related schemes for workers on Metro construction sites has led to an increase of 55% in respiratory issues, since 2009. Migrant workers at the Namma Metro construction site work in fatal conditions, without any safety equipment. According to market sources, every year 30-45 cases of respiratory problems among the metro workers are reported. This is mainly due to the uninterrupted exposure of the workers to polluted metro sites. Diseases like asthma, allergies and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases have been found common among the metro workers, due to long-term exposure. Rise in health problems among the workers is mainly due to lack of face masks which traffic inspectors and construction workers are provided with. To add to it, the Karnataka labour Department does not provide any health benefits to unregistered workers and does not offer any aid unofficially also.
Usage of Land
To curb the rising labour law violations in the state, in regard to Namma Metro project work, the Karnataka High Court issued a four week notice to the state government. The notice was issued to place on record the steps High Court wishes to take in respect to the instances where companies do not implement the industrial projects and KIADB does not succeed to supervise them. According to BDA experts, it is the duty of the state to ensure that employment is provided as promised by the entrepreneurs allotted industrial sites. Rehabilitation of the displaced people or for those who have lost their land following procurement by KIADB, is also a part of the responsibility of the state. As an attempt to solve the matter, BMRCL is now seeking the aid of the Union Government in this regard, so that the metro work goes on at a stretch. Such a standoff in metro railway work is likely to prove fatal for Bangalore’s infrastructure and may hamper the growth of real estate in the city significantly.
