Labour exodus brings construction activity to a halt in Jammu region

Construction activities across the Jammu division have come to a near standstill following the recent India-Pakistan tensions, as the majority of migrant labourers working on both government and private projects fled the region fearing escalation into war.

The Jammu region witnessed multiple incidents of artillery fire, drone strikes, and missile attacks from the Pakistani side during the brief conflict. The exodus of labourers, particularly from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, began soon after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, in which 26 people were killed by militants. Fearing that the situation could escalate into a full-scale war, migrant workers started leaving in large numbers.

The panic intensified following the May 10 shelling near the industrial area in Rajouri, which claimed the lives of two-year-old Aisha Noor and 35-year-old Mohammad Shohib. The tragedy left the migrant community deeply shaken, prompting a mass departure from the Union Territory.

With labourers fleeing, construction of roads and private buildings came to a halt, as did industrial manufacturing activities, particularly in Kathua, Samba, and Jammu districts, where a majority of the industrial units are located.

Suresh Kumar, a construction contractor originally from Bihar, said 21 of the 38 workers in his team had returned to their hometowns due to pressure from their families. “These labourers travel hundreds of kilometers to earn a livelihood for their families. But when their families panic and ask them to return, they have no choice,” he said. “Two private building projects I was handling have been stalled due to the absence of workers.”

Even large-scale infrastructure projects have felt the impact. Work on the four-laning of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban, which was progressing rapidly, has slowed down significantly.

Purshotam Kumar, Director of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of NHAI in Ramban, acknowledged the disruption. “In such circumstances, anyone would seek safety. The project has been affected, and we are trying to bring operations back to normal, but it will take some time,” he said.

The Delhi-Katra Expressway project has also suffered delays due to the labour shortage. However, officials report that some workers have started returning as peace is gradually being restored in the region.

J & K