Contract workers seek adequate bus services to Kudankulam Plant

Contract workers appealed to the the district collectorate on Monday to ensure adequate bus services to Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP).

In their petition submitted to the Collector, the contract workers said the construction work of Units III to VI was being carried out by various organisations. More than 20,000 contract workers were engaged at these sites. Of these, about 3,000 workers travelled to the project site from Kanniyakumari district while a significant number of workers from other districts and States lived at Anajugramam and other nearby areas.

Only a few companies had arranged transportation for the workers. The rest of the workers depend on public transport. At present, only four buses run between Vadasery and Tirchuendur and Thoothukudi via the plant. Apart from this, a town bus from Vadasery leaves at 8.15 a.m. and takes a longer route to reach the plant.

This limited service caused hardship to workers who were forced to board overcrowded buses in the peak hours or arrive late to work, which affected their income.

S. Thirugnanasambandhar, a contract worker, said the issue had been brought to the attention of district administration as many workers lost wages because of turning up late for work. “Most contract employees earn ₹15,000 a month and for those commuting from Nagercoil and other regions by two-wheelers, a considerable amount is spent on travel,” he said.

Since many migrant workers lived in Anjugramam area and for the local people from other parts of the district, Mr. Thirugnanasambandhar urged the district administration to arrange adequate bus facility to the plant from Nagercoil and Anjugramam at least during the morning and evening hours.