Guwahati: Negligence at construction sites puts workers at risk

Staff reporter

Guwahati: As Guwahati undergoes a rapid transformation fueled by an infrastructure boom, a troubling reality lurks behind the scaffolds and cement—the glaring neglect of construction worker safety. Despite the city’s ambitious vision of modernization, incidents of negligence at both government and privately-funded construction sites reveal a disturbing pattern of compromised human lives for urban growth.

Across the city, construction workers are often seen labouring at high-rise buildings, roads, and flyovers without even the most basic protective gear—no helmets, harnesses, safety boots, gloves, or reflective jackets. These aren’t isolated lapses but recurring violations that point to systemic flaws in regulatory enforcement and a concerning disregard by contractors and project managers alike.

One such fatal incident occurred a few years ago at the construction site of a flyover near the Supermarket area. A structural collapse took the life of a worker and injured several others. Eyewitnesses noted that none of the affected labourers were equipped with safety gear at the time—underscoring how such tragedies are not accidents but outcomes of preventable negligence.

The cycle repeated more recently on January 31, when three workers were injured after a guard wall gave way at a drainage construction site in Chabipool. Investigations cited inadequate supervision and absence of safety protocols as the root causes. Yet, lessons appear unlearned.

A senior official from the Public Works Department (PWD), on the condition of anonymity, admitted that while the department does issue safety guidelines, enforcement on the ground remains lax. “We’ve instructed contractors repeatedly to ensure workers use proper safety equipment. But some contractors claim that the workers themselves resist wearing gear, citing discomfort,” the official said. “This mindset makes it challenging to enforce discipline, but it’s no excuse for ignoring life-saving measures.” This negligence extends beyond worker safety, posing a threat to public security. A recent discovery of a large structural crack on the fourth pillar of the Six-Mile flyover, constructed 16 years ago, has raised red flags about the long-term integrity of Guwahati’s infrastructure. The discovery has intensified calls for regular audits and stricter construction oversight.

Urban planning experts and civil engineers are now pushing for a paradigm shift in how safety is perceived in the construction sector. They argue that safety should not be viewed as a cost to be minimized but as a non-negotiable right of every worker. From mandatory safety training and routine site inspections to severe penalties for violations, experts stress the need for a multi-tiered approach to safeguard lives. As the city builds upward and outward, authorities and contractors must remember that a city’s true progress is measured not just in flyovers and buildings, but in the dignity and security it ensures for its people, especially those laying its foundation, brick by brick.

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