The enforcement of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV in Delhi has plunged thousands of daily-wage construction workers into a familiar abyss of unemployment and financial distress. With a complete ban on all construction and demolition activities across the National Capital Region (NCR) since December 13 due to severe air quality, these workers find themselves trapped in a vicious annual cycle of uncertainty and debt.
Life Comes to a Halt at Labour Chowks
Across the city's labour chowks, from Bharat Nagar in the south to Rohini in the north, groups of men in worn-out clothes wait despondently by the roadside. The scene is a grim repeat of previous winters when similar pollution control measures were activated. This is the second major disruption this season, following a GRAP-III imposition in October that halted non-essential work. Each time, the most severe impact is felt by this vulnerable workforce.
For Radheshyam, a daily wager from Rohini and a father of three school-going daughters, the shutdown has shattered a fragile routine. He used to wake at 5 AM, travel to a site in Narela, and work from 8 AM to 6 PM, earning about Rs 700 daily to cover groceries and basic needs. Now, with work halted, survival is the only goal. "These hard times set me back every year," he says. "My savings are gone. I live in a tiny room paying Rs 3,000 rent and had to borrow Rs 6,000 last month." He holds a registered labour card and hopes for at least Rs 8,000 in subsistence assistance, similar to last year's aid.
A Widespread Crisis of Survival and Systemic Gaps
The stories of hardship echo throughout Delhi. Jai Singh Raj, who worked in Mangolpuri, explains how the loss of a fixed income forces painful compromises: cutting down on milk for children and reducing grocery purchases. Many workers question why the burden of pollution control falls disproportionately on them. "Do only we add to pollution and no one else?" asks Ramesh, a worker who wished to remain anonymous, capturing the collective bitterness.
The humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by low awareness and poor coverage of welfare schemes. Many workers are either unaware of the schemes or lack the necessary labour cards from their home states. Data reveals a significant gap: while the Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board portal shows 2.6 lakh active workers, the total registered workforce is 2.4 lakh. With a renewal rate of 57%, roughly two out of every five workers remain outside the safety net during these critical shutdowns.
Calls for Enhanced Aid and Immediate Action
Activist groups and unions highlight the urgent need for intervention. Thaneshwar Dayal Adigaur, convenor of Nirman Mazdoor Adhikar Abhiyan, notes that while the board released Rs 8,000 per worker during 2024's pollution halts, the situation in 2025 is identical. His union is now recommending Rs 15,000 per worker, citing inflation and the prolonged loss of earnings.
The problem is compounded by logistical issues. A contractor reported that nearly 50% of his labourers returned to their villages after work stopped, with only 10-15% returning. This creates a manpower shortage for when work resumes. The online process for labour card applications further alienates workers who lack documents or digital literacy.
Amjad Hassan, general secretary of the Delhi Asangathit Nirman Mazdoor Union, has made urgent appeals. "Daily wagers have lost their only income. We have urged the labour minister and Welfare Board to release immediate financial assistance, ensure its timely disbursal, and arrange food and essentials," he stated, also stressing the need for widespread awareness campaigns.
In response to queries, Delhi government officials stated they have decided to pay workers for the period GRAP-III was imposed. However, for workers like Radheshyam and countless others staring at an empty tomorrow, the wait for concrete, timely support continues amidst the toxic haze.
