Jose K Joseph
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, April 25: In view of extreme heat-wave conditions, the state government has issued advisory to people to stay indoors between 11am and 3pm. But oblivious of the advisory issued by the special relief commissioner, daily wagers and bus drivers across the city are engaged in labour raising the risk of sunstrokes.
Rickshaw puller Jitendra Narayan Sahoo has no other option than to go for work.
“I’ve to carry steel frames and rods to construction sites and it is arduous. If I don’t work, I won’t be able to support my family and kids who will have to starve,” Sahoo said. The plight of cobbler Kalipada Mallick is no better.
“It’s difficult to sit along road in this sweltering heat. Poor people like us have no other go, but to work hard for survival,” Mallick said.
Notwithstanding the severity of heatwave, agitators continue to squat at the Lower PMG square here.
“We have been sitting here for eight months for our reinstatement in the energy department. This is our fight for life and we will continue our strike till we get justice,” said president of Rehabilitation Committee for energy department Ramesh Chandra Mohanty.
Although women are sensitive to the impact of heat, there are several women traffic constables who have regulate traffic in the scorching sun.
“Whatever maybe the situation, we have to do our duty and our training has given us motivation. Hence, heatwave will not deter our spirit,” said traffic cop Suchitra Beura.
Sunstroke has claimed over 80 lives in the state. Special relief commission has issued labour restrictions for construction work between 11am and 3pm.
However, several contractors engage workers during the restricted hours. Interestingly, Central government firms like the railways seem to be flouting the advisory of special relief commissioner.
Construction and other rooftop repair work keep going even unhindered at railway station. Significantly, many buses which ply on city roads during day time do not have ORS and drinking water stocks.
Leading environmentalists have pondered over the heatwave and attributed loss of green cover as the reason for the city’s sizzling weather.
“Our forests are dwindling. More and more concrete buildings are coming up. We need environment-friendly approach to manage the situation,” said green activist SN Patra.
