No work, little compensation: Delhi’s construction workers pay the price for its toxic air

Delhi’s air pollution worsens every winter, prompting the government to impose restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). These include halting construction work and restricting the entry of certain vehicles.

But when construction sites shut down, it is migrant workers who bear the brunt. With no work or alternative source of income, many go weeks, sometimes months, without a wage. Some are forced to return to their villages with their children because they can no longer afford to stay in Delhi.

In a November 24, 2021 order, the Supreme Court directed the government to provide financial assistance to workers affected by construction bans. In December 2025, Delhi minister Kapil Mishra announced compensation of Rs 10,000 for workers who lost work due to GRAP restrictions.

Newslaundry spoke to construction workers who say they had registered with the Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board nearly two years ago and renewed their registrations on time, but have still not received the promised compensation. The board says around one lakh workers have been paid, at a cost of nearly Rs 100 crore. Its website lists around 2.15 lakh registered workers.

The Construction Workers Panchayat Sangam, a union representing construction workers, has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court claiming that around 1,700 workers are still awaiting compensation. The court’s 2024 order also referred to financial assistance for 93,272 construction workers in Delhi. 

According to a CEEW report, construction activities account for around 30 percent of Delhi’s dust pollution. But while the government acts against pollution, it is the workers who lose their livelihoods.

This report is part of a collaborative campaign to tackle air pollution. Here’s how you can join the Fight To Breathe. Click here to power this campaign.