Nearly 29,000 children under the age of five years have been found living on construction sites with their parents, who work as labourers in Noida and Greater Noida.
On instructions from the Gautam Budh Nagar district administration, 34 of 74 major construction sites have established crèches.
“A few sites already had crèches, but all 74 major sites will have the facility by August, and 50 should be complete by June-end,” said District Magistrate N.P. Singh.
The administration carried out a survey of construction sites with the aim of organising an immunisation programme for children under the age of five. Since nearly all the labourers are migrants, they cannot be counted in the district’s population.
Starting on April 20, 50 volunteers took a month to visit 2,015 sites, where 29,985 children below the age of five were found living with their parents. While the immunisation programme is still under progress, the administration has asked real estate developers to make on-site crèches.
“Some crèches have air-conditioning too. The new ones will be made with pre-fabricated materials and include two teachers. We have asked builders to give midday meals and uniforms to the children as well,” said Mr. Singh.
About 4,000 children in the age group of five to 14 years were also found living on the sites. The teachers on the sites will help them with preparations for formal education, while the district administration will get them admitted to the local schools once they are ready.
