ommuting to work is not affordable for many construction workers hit by job loss due to the pandemic. However, thanks to poor awareness, a majority of them are yet to benefit from Sahaya Hasta, a free bus pass scheme initiated by BMTC and the labour department.
To reach out to construction workers, BMTC has started an awareness campaign in English, Kannada and Hindi at railway stations and labour camps. It is fetching data from Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.
Corporation officials said construction workers, including migrant labourers, from other states can enrol for the scheme started in April 2019. Statistics show 1,602 workers availed free passes in 2018-19, which increased to 7,395 in 2019-20. However, only 139 workers got them this financial year so far.
BMTC officials said they have received a database of around 9,000 construction workers from the labour department. They clarified that Sahaya Hasta passes are only for construction workers and the category includes painters, plumbers, carpenters, those involved in repair or maintenance of buildings, lift and escalator work, interior work, cooling and heating system work, iron grilling, flooring work, etc.
Shaheen Shasa of Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike (BBPV) said the BMTC and labour department should extend the scheme to other workers’ communities too.
“Many daily-wage workers, who could earlier afford to pay bus fares, are now finding it difficult because of the impact of the pandemic and slowdown of the economy. It’s a good initiative and should be extended to others as well.”
‘Simplify process’
Suresh Hari, chairman, Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India, Karnataka chapter said there are more than 12 lakh registered construction workers in Bengaluru alone. “Whatever construction cess had been collected is being used for this purpose and it’s a welcome development Now, most labourers have smartphones but the government needs to simplify the registration process. We are ready to work with government agencies to provide these passes for construction workers.”
“The poor enrolment was mainly due to the lockdown. Also, till July, we couldn’t conduct any awareness campaigns due to the pandemic. In fact, many workers who left the city are yet to return. We are hoping that pass holders will increase in the coming days,” said a BMTC official.
The pass is valid for one year. BMTC is also sending SMSs to beneficiaries to renew expired passes.