Eye on high-rise work resumption, builders start calling back workers to sites
Times of India | 8 August 2026
Kolkata: Several developers in Kolkata have started calling back labourers to construction sites after Thursday’s meetings with the chief minister and urban development minister and were assured of 190-odd stalled projects getting a go-ahead to resume work within next week. There are also indications that around 150 other projects, also stalled for six weeks, will receive the permission to resume constructions in 10 days or so.
After the abrupt suspension of construction work at high-rise projects across Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas and Howrah, several thousand labourers—most of them daily wage earners—had returned home. Some of them had thereafter moved to other projects in other districts and states. Now that the constructions are set to resume, developers have started sounding out labour contractors to get the workforce ready so that work can pick up pace once it receives an official permission to resume.
“Re-mobilisation of workers already started in 150-odd projects, which have received clearances. After Thursday, the workforce is being readied with greater momentum as several other sites have already been okayed by the technical sub-committee. They are expected to receive the final nod from the high-level committee overseeing the structural safety of building construction soon,” said Credai Kolkata president Apurva Salarpuria.
Developers said construction was expected to be back at the original pace within three-four weeks. “In projects, where construction has progressed till higher floors, work can pick up faster than those still at the basement or ground level,” a developer said.
While there will be a mini break in Oct owing to the festivities, developers hope to move ahead in full-steam once the rains are over. Credai Kolkata past president Siddharth Pansari said developers were pleasantly surprised with the speed at which the audit teams cleared the projects after an initial slow start.
“The teams, which were thorough in scrutinising projects, interacted with developers and Credai. They had problems with labour compliance at some sites, following which Credai held a workshop for members. We have told the govt that we will support its stand on safety and compliance,” said Pansari, adding the industry was also thankful that the govt had cracked down on syndicates. “Barring a few stray cases, all developers are able to procure materials from where they want.”
Credai West Bengal president Sushil Mohta welcomed the govt’s proposed SOP to improve building safety and regulatory compliance, saying it would enhance construction standards and public confidence. “The govt has made significant progress in a short time,” he added.