Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), yesterday, stated that they have resumed the Metro work that was suspended since March 22 due to nation-wide Covid-19 lockdown. “The work at 45 sites resumed with 1350 workers. Preparatory action and precautions for social distancing and basic health check have been put in place by concerned contractors” BMRCL managing director Ajay Seth said.
BMRCL has also restarted work on demolishing the landmark flyover at Jayadeva hospital junction to construct an elevated road-cum-rail corridor including the Jayadeva junction interchange Metro station.
Around 4,800 workers are involved in the ongoing 72km Phase 2 of the project. Many are living in various labour camps and contractors along with BMRCL are providing food and also thermal screening them regularly to check for Covid-19. BMRCL has set August 2020 deadline for the 6.29Km Yelachenahalli -Anjanapura Township and October 2020 for the 6.46Km Mysuru Road-Kengeri section.
The Centre’s new guidelines easing lockdown restrictions are likely to help long pending infrastructure projects as well as ensure a steady income for migrant workers stranded in the city. The Centre has stated that resumption of construction activities will be subject to adherence to social distancing norms at workplaces, including mandatory wearing of masks by all workers.
Meanwhile, construction goods movement for government projects got permission of the Karnataka government to resume from Thursday (23rd April 2020), in a bid to slowly revive economic activities. One of the major sectors to benefit will be construction, and transportation of materials like cement, steel, and bricks. The government, however, has limited this largely to government projects and industrial estates.