Infrastructure
Bengaluru Metro: Shortage Of Skilled Workers Hinders Progress On Metro Line Construction
V Bhagya Subhashini
Jul 06, 2023, 10:21 AM | Updated 10:29 AM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
The progress of Metro lines has been hindered by a shortage of skilled manpower, leading to delays. Both the public and the government have been pressuring for the completion of Metro projects as quickly as possible.
However, contractors are facing a unique challenge which is a lack of manpower.
The construction of Metro lines in 15 cities across the country is facing a scarcity of skilled workers. The majority of construction workers come from northern states.
Currently, Metro works are underway in New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Noida, Bhopal, Jaipur, Amritsar, and other cities. Many workers prefer to find jobs in Metro projects elsewhere and are hesitant to travel to Bengaluru.
A total of 300 carpenters, 400 bar benders, and 200 masons are needed for ongoing projects. The shortage of workers has resulted in slower progress on the KR Puram to the airport and RV road to Bommasandra lines, according to an official.
An official stated, "We are experiencing a shortage of masons, carpenters, and bar bending workers, which is affecting civil engineering works. We need more than 250 workers for the Silk Board-KR Puram project, but finding manpower is extremely challenging, " reports Bangalore Mirror.
Delays in Metro works have been caused by various factors. In previous years, the projects were affected by the outbreak of COVID-19, and heavy rains last year also disrupted progress.
Another official mentioned that skilled workers primarily come from Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact as many workers returned to their villages. Although some have returned, others have chosen to stay in their villages, contributing to the shortage.
Despite the challenges, Metro officials remain confident in completing 175 km of the Metro network by June 2025.
By 2041, Bengaluru is expected to have a Metro network spanning 314 km.
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.