The Central Government has issued detailed guidelines to open partial lockdown in select activities and sector subject to further restrictions by state government.
In the guideline called “Consolidated Revised Guidelines on the measures to be taken by Ministries/ Departments of Government of India, State/ UT Governments and State / UT authorities for containment of COVID-19 in the country. [As per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Order No 40-3/2020-DM-I (A) dated 15th April 2020]” in para 16, the Ministry have given permissions to start construction acitivities where the labour can be accommodated and their health is maintained up to to the standards. The para 16 of the Guideline say :
Construction activities, listed as below, will be allowed to operate:
- Construction of roads, irrigation projects, buildings and all kinds of industrial projects, including MSMEs, in rural areas, i.e. outside the limit of municipal corporations and municipalities; and all kinds of projects in industrial estates.
- Construction of renewable energy projects.
- Construction of works in construction projects, within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, where workers are available on site and no workers are required to be brought in from outside (in situ construction).
NAREDCO National President- Dr Niranjan Hiranandani applauded the move by Home Affairs dept by saying that, “The Government of India has issued an Order which allows staggered reopening on the stalled construction work to partially resume from 20 April 2020, subject to terms and conditions. The real estate industry acknowledges the positive impact this will have in handling the migrant crisis and avoid any strain further to the COVID19 a Human -economic crisis. “Allowing phase-wise reopening of economic activity with precautions being adhered to is the right step refuel the economic growth trajectory of the country.
“The relaxation has come at the right time as the situation was very grim to keep construction workers at the site afloat. With this Order, the economic drivers of the country will start moving again, even as we extend the lockdown. Considering the estimated loss of Rs. 26,000 crore per day to the Indian economy as a result of the lockdown, this relaxation in lifting of lockdown is a constructive step.
Download here the Guideline here: 15.04.2020 Revised Consolidated Guidelines