New Delhi: They earn wages for their work on one of the most high profile projects in the country - the Delhi metro - but they live like beggars.
At a Metro construction site in south Delhi's Kalkaji, scores of people huddle together at a metro construction site without a roof to protect them from the punishing winter chill. These families have made space under a flyover their home.
Three-year-old Tarun snuggles up to his father in the night for some warmth. His father Prabhu, who has been employed as a helper with Delhi Metro, shows us his identity card and says his contractor didn't provide any accommodation despite his pleas, no money was provided either.
Prabhu's three children and a wife eat and sleep under the Nehru Place flyover night after night in Delhi's bone chilling cold.
And Prabhu is not the only one. When NDTV went on a night vigil, we found others like Subhash, another helper with DMRC, who has no roof in the biting cold. "I didn't even know they are supposed to provide accommodation, I have stayed here only," said Subhash.
Under the flyover, NDTV found at least four families migrated from Rajasthan in search of a job. They got the job, but the mandatory accommodation missing.
Ravi is among those Metro labourers who live under the flyover. He was offered a room but even then he couldn't move in. "The rooms provided are shared with 4-5 people, and they are all men. I have a family, a wife and kids can't stay there with everyone," he explains.
Metro guidelines are clear. All labourers, even those employed through contractors, are to be provided accommodation. And if that's not possible, extra pay of Rs 2-3 thousand is to be made by the contractor for private rooms. But these are promises that remain on paper.
At a time when the city is gearing up for the festive season, and many are enjoying the winter chill, Prabhu and his kids are hoping the New Year brings a change in their luck.
At a Metro construction site in south Delhi's Kalkaji, scores of people huddle together at a metro construction site without a roof to protect them from the punishing winter chill. These families have made space under a flyover their home.
Three-year-old Tarun snuggles up to his father in the night for some warmth. His father Prabhu, who has been employed as a helper with Delhi Metro, shows us his identity card and says his contractor didn't provide any accommodation despite his pleas, no money was provided either.
And Prabhu is not the only one. When NDTV went on a night vigil, we found others like Subhash, another helper with DMRC, who has no roof in the biting cold. "I didn't even know they are supposed to provide accommodation, I have stayed here only," said Subhash.
Advertisement
Ravi is among those Metro labourers who live under the flyover. He was offered a room but even then he couldn't move in. "The rooms provided are shared with 4-5 people, and they are all men. I have a family, a wife and kids can't stay there with everyone," he explains.
Advertisement
At a time when the city is gearing up for the festive season, and many are enjoying the winter chill, Prabhu and his kids are hoping the New Year brings a change in their luck.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Delhi Airport Becomes 1st To Achieve Net Zero Carbon Emission Status "Financial Means Not Sole Ground To Decide Child's Custody": Court Video: US Diplomat, Vlogger Explore Delhi's Iconic Pre-Independence Eateries 150 mg Semen In Kolkata Doctor's Body, Suspect Gang-Rape: Parents To Court 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing Vandalism At Kolkata Hospital Where Doctor Was Raped, Tear Gas Fired "Targeted Violence Against Hindus...": Vivek Ramaswamy On Bangladesh Unrest Probe Reveals Brazil Plane Crashed One Minute After Pilots Sensed Trouble "Strictest Punishment For Crimes Against Women": PM Amid Kolkata Protests Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.