The Hindu : Construction work comes to a grinding halt

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 19, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

Construction work comes to a grinding halt

By K. Ramachandran

CHENNAI April 18. The continuing truckers' strike has severely affected real estate and the construction industry in Tamil Nadu, especially in Chennai and its adjoining districts.

Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts have lakhs of families living off the construction industry and several major housing and commercial projects have come to a grinding halt, as there are no trucks to transport men and materials.

The districts require more than 1,200 trucks of sand, brick, cement, steel and other materials such as scaffolding equipment each day.

The Chairman of the Builders Association of India, southern region, Sethuramalingam says at a time when the industry strives to bring in world class equipment and work standards, the strike has dealt a body blow to the operations.

"Timely delivery is a major factor in ensuring global standards. Today, architects and clients are keen that the projects are finished on specified dates. The schedules are getting jeopardised by the strike."

A manufacturer of concrete blocks in Chennai says he had problems getting raw material and moving finished blocks. The cost overruns and wastage are leading to crores of rupees loss.

Lakhs of construction labourers, especially migrant labourers, are facing loss of work, industry sources say.

The Nilgiris Potato and Other Vegetables Farmers Association, urged the Government to deploy more public transport and private buses. It sought more space for perishable goods in buses, which could be used to move vegetables to rail terminals.

The same means could be used to transport essentials to hilly regions.

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