Date:08/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/08/stories/2008100854750900.htm

National

Housing, other facilities for construction workers

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Monday revised the Environmental Impact Assessment, 2006 Notification to include housing and other facilities for improving the living conditions of workers at construction sites.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests had issued instructions under this notification stipulating the terms for improving the conditions of workers at sites.

Henceforth, while granting Environmental Clearance for development projects under the provisions of the notification it will be incumbent on the constructing agency “to provide for housing for construction labour within the site with all necessary infrastructure and facilities such as fuel for cooking, mobile toilets, sewage disposal facilities, safe drinking water, medical health care, and creche. The housing may be in the form of temporary structures to be removed after the completion of the project.” As the construction sector is witnessing a huge growth and engages a large number of workers, this provision is necessary to ensure that they get basic facilities and services.