Poll season causes migrant exodus, blow to realty sector

HYDERABAD: Residential construction in the city has taken a hit this poll season with migrant workers from various states returning to their home towns.
With five more phases of elections remaining in states such as Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, many migrant labourers have temporarily left the city to vote, and also take part in political rallies, meetings, and roadshows.The draw for many is compensation they get which is equivalent to their daily wages.

In the city, the exodus has impacted the real estate industry, forcing builders and developers to rely on a limited workforce from the Telugu states. Developers say political parties have involved labourers in their campaigning efforts, causing a slowdown in construction activity over the past two weeks.
GV Rao, president of the Telangana Developers’ Association, said that Hyderabad is home to approximately 2 lakh migrant workers, with a significant number hailing from Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and UP.
With the migrant workforce in a rush to head back, Railways has been operating numerous special and Jansadharan trains between the twin cities and various destinations in other states, including Santragachi, Shalimar, Bhubaneshwar, Raxaul, Raipur, Patna, Danapur, and Subedarganj.
In addition to election-related challenges, the city’s intense weather conditions are also affecting ongoing construction works. Many labourers are finding it difficult to work daily due to the scorching summer heat. “I am unable to work every day. I feel dehydrated as soon as I begin the work. I am going to work twice or thrice in week,” said K Rajaiah, a worker at Punjagutta labour adda.
Meanwhile, Ch Ramachandra Reddy, a member of the CREDAI national body, said that apart from elections, the marriage season has also contributed to migration of workers to other states. He expects the construction activity to resume only after the middle of May, following the completion of the election process.