Labour shortage hits toilet project

A World Bank-funded project

• The state government has to build 4,400 toilets in Lambi block; 7,100 in Gidderbaha block; 8,200 in Malout block and 24,064 in Muktsar block
• Nearly Rs 61 crore will be spent on the project
• Construction in Gidderbaha, Malout and Muktsar blocks is yet to begin
• These toilets are to be built in those houses that do not have one

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service 

Muktsar, August 23

The construction of 44,000 toilets under the World Bank funded Open Defecation Free (ODF) project has been hit as the district administration faces a shortage of skilled labourers. To resolve the issue, the administration has now started training labourers. For instance, a batch of 30 labourers is being trained at the Construction Skill Training Institute (CSTI), Abul Khurana village, here.

The state government has to build 4,400 toilets in Lambi block; 7,100 in Gidderbaha block; 8,200 in Malout block and 24,064 in Muktsar block. Nearly Rs 61 crore will be spent on this project.

Ramvir Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development), Muktsar, said, “We have to construct the toilets in the given time frame, but we are facing a shortage of skilled labourers. So, we are training labourers for free at the CSTI in Abul Khurana village. It will help us overcome the shortage of skilled labourers.”

At present, the work is undergoing in Lambi block only. Construction in the other three blocks, where about 40,000 toilets are to be built, is yet to begin. These toilets are to be built in those houses that do not have one.

Courtesy: The Tribune