The hands that are shaping Amaravati
As Andhra Pradesh’s greenfield capital takes shape, stories of migrant workers, women finding new livelihoods, and efforts to balance development with social and environmental concerns reveal the human side of building a new city. Their experiences shed a unique light on how an ambitious project is reshaping lives alongside the landscape of the capital region, writes P. Sujatha Varma
Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh's forthcoming greenfield capital, is rapidly taking shape with towering government complexes and landmark infrastructure, thanks to the efforts of thousands of workers from various parts of India. Among these laborers is Deepak Maiti, a 46-year-old migrant worker from West Bengal who has been contributing to the construction of NGO housing projects in Amaravati for the past year.
Maiti's workday lasts for nine hours, and despite the demanding schedule, he misses his old mother back home. Many workers share similar stories of migration, sacrifice, and hope, as they leave behind their families and embark on a new life in Amaravati.
Facilities at the labor camp cater to the diverse needs of workers from different regions. Separate kitchens and dining areas allow them to prepare meals according to their culinary preferences, while a grocery store stocks daily essentials, providing a sense of familiarity. Bunk beds, sanitation facilities, safe drinking water, and recreational spaces ensure the well-being of the workers.
However, emotional separation from family remains a significant challenge, with many laborers like Ramswamy from Odisha having left behind their wives and young children.
Despite the hardships, community celebrations and social welfare initiatives provide some respite for the workers. The contractor has arranged for childcare facilities, such as a crèche, to care for the children of working parents. Gender specialists are also working on addressing gender concerns and enhancing safety measures for the workers.
The project's Occupational Health and Safety Manager, Nilanchala Hotta, emphasizes the mandatory medical examinations, safety inductions, and continuous training for the workers. These welfare measures have led to four million safe work hours while ensuring full compliance with environmental and social safeguard standards.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
