KOLKATA: Construction work halted at nearly 700 sites across the city on Thursday after the government issued a stop-work notice in response to the warehouse collapse and subsequent fatalities near Taratala.
The real estate sector endured a tense day, hoping the government would reconsider its decision in the coming days, allowing established developers to resume significant projects. Industry representatives indicated that a five-week shutdown would be devastating, estimating daily losses from the stop-work order to be around Rs 20-25 crore.
“Organized real estate projects are executed with strict supervision by qualified engineers, follow approved plans, and maintain high-quality control standards. Incidents are typically confined to unauthorized structures and unregulated local builders outside the formal industry. The government should prioritize addressing these issues,” stated a prominent developer currently working on multiple sites in Kolkata.
Several developers contacted by TOI expressed their readiness to fully cooperate with the administration to ensure all regulations are followed transparently. “We are prepared to submit documentation to the committee established to audit ongoing projects. We hope the panel reviews the materials and permits work to resume next week,” said one developer.
The Licensed Building Surveyors Association, which manages building plans, oversees construction, and evaluates property, reached out to the Chief Minister requesting a review of the order. They noted that many projects within the KMC area were at critical phases, involving unfinished excavation, piling, raft foundations, pile caps, and basements that could sustain damage if left incomplete during the rains. “There is a risk of excavation failure, foundation instability, collapse of unsupported earth, and damage to surrounding buildings and roads,” remarked association president Animesh Guria.
The shutdown is anticipated to delay project delivery timelines, which have already been affected by supply chain disruptions due to the Iran war and labor shortages during the SIR exercise, followed by elections. “We previously requested the West Bengal Real Estate Regulatory Authority for a six-month extension. Should work remain halted for five weeks, we will need to request additional time,” shared a developer.
Labour contractors noted that 25,000-30,000 daily wage workers employed at these sites would suffer the most, facing financial strain as they would not receive wages until work resumes. “The majority of our construction workforce consists of daily wage laborers. A sudden work stoppage will impose an immediate financial burden on these families,” stated a labor contractor.
Developers also expressed concern that an extended closure could lead to the migration of skilled laborers to their home villages or other states, worsening labor shortages in Kolkata’s real estate sector. “This would make it exceptionally challenging to remobilize them and restart projects later,” commented a developer.
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