In a bid to ensure that the rising number of migrant labourers in the city do not pose a threat to the residents here, the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) is planning to incorporate ‘welfare of migrant labourers’ to its Vision 2030 plan.
The plan involves setting up of shelter camps and homes for the lakhs of migrant labourers spread across various parts of the district.
“Since the number of labourers migrating to Kerala is at an all-time high, it is essential that a regulatory authority keep a tab on these people and their problems. They play a vital role in our society as they live in proximity with the residents. It is up to authorities to take an initiative to ensure their welfare which will in turn affect the welfare of the people here,” said GCDA chairman N Venugopal.
He said that the authorities are in the process of locating 5 acres of land each at Angamaly, Aluva and Perumbavoor, which has the highest migrant labour population in the district.
“As per our plan, we wish to set up labour camps and homes each having the capacity to house at least 5,000 people. Talks are on in the initial phase. However, our priority is first to identify the locations. Once identified, we are planning to pull in building associations to set up concrete shelter homes for these people, he said.
Each shelter home will have the maximum basic facilities. Talks will be held in this regard,” he said. Speaking on the law and order problems caused by migrant folks and the diseases spreading through them, the GCDA chairman said that it is mandatory that conducive living conditions be provided to them to discourage them from polluting the places they live in. This will also discourage them from involving in anti-social activities,” he said.
Medical camps in association with the Health Department will be held in every three months at their shelter homes once the project becomes a reality, he said.