New Delhi, May 29 (UNI) As temperatures at various national capital locations breached 50 degrees Celsius amid a severe heatwave, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Wednesday issued order mandating three-hour paid break for labourers at construction sites.
The directive issued by LG office said, “LG has given instructions to Delhi Development Authority… for making adequate arrangements for water, coconut and etc for labourers who have been deployed at various construction sites so that they can stay hydrated.”
“Directions were also given that appropriate arrangements for shade/coolers be made to protect the poor labourers from heat stroke. DDA has been given orders that the supervisors and labourers be given a break during peak heat hours – between 12 noon and 3 pm,” an official statement said.
The LG has directed that these arrangements should continue across all sites, till temperatures drop below 40 degrees Celsius.
He further directed Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to convene an immediate meeting of all Public Works Departments including DJB, MCD, NDMC, Power Department etc and issue directives for protecting the labourers and supervisory staff from extreme heatwave conditions.
Saxena further directed to arrange earthen pots with drinking water at bus queue shelters to provide relief to bus passengers and passersby.
Water sprinklers tankers should be deployed to cool down the ambient temperature on the roads, he added.
