While the city is heading towards the status of a Metro and prestigious projects like Kochi Metro Rail are on the cards, sights of homeless migrant labourers and vagrants sleeping on pavements reflect a darker side that calls for immediate attention. The situation will only worsen with the onset of monsoon. Though the Corporation authorities reiterate that several projects for the welfare of migrants were carried out, the real situation is a pointer towards the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities in ensuring shelter for the migrants, a majority of whom are working in various construction sites across the district.
However, the Corporation authorities said that most of the contractors who employ migrant labourers at various construction sites would ensure that shelters are provided for them. “The majority of people who sleep on footpaths and public spaces are vagrants who sell petty plastic ornaments and handmade music instruments. Some even go begging for their livelihood,” said a Corporation official.
The migrant population are making use of the pavements at the busy Kaloor junction for the night, many of whom are working with construction sites.
Kochi Corporation Health Standing Committee chairman T K Ashraf admitted that they are yet to find a permanent solution for the sad plight of the migrant population. “We do not have any shelter for migrant labourers. Kochi is one of the cities with a lot of construction activities and the number of migrants arriving in the city is increasing by the day. We have initiated a survey to assess the number of migrants in the city but we do not have a final figure as the number is increasing every day,” said Ashraf.Now the civic body is pinning its hopes on the financial support offered by the state government in its annual budget for the welfare of the migrants. “We hope the Government will help us in setting up a shelter for the migrants, as promised in the budget. However, we are not taking the issue lightly as the migrants living in unhygienic conditions will create serious health issues, said Ashraf.He said that after discussing the issue with the Mayor, he would convene a meeting with the Association of Builders in the city. “The meeting aims to make sure that the migrants in the respective site are provided with proper shelter,” he said.