Thiruvananthapuram: With the government-owned Bhavanam Foundation's ambitious project to provide Apna Ghar - a home away from home for migrant workers in Chempazhanthy being shelved owing to protests from local residents, efforts are now on to construct a hostel accommodation in Bio Sciences Park, Thonnackal.
The foundation had identified one acre of land at Chempazhanthy for constructing Apna Ghar to accommodate 1,000 migrant workers. However, the project could not go forward because of the stiff opposition from the local people. They were dead against housing migrant workers in the area.
The foundation, which is a non-profitable fully government-owned company under the labour and skill development department, had opened the first hostel for migrant workers at Kanjikode Industrial area in Palakkad on Saturday. The hostel inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, can accommodate 620 workers.
Foundation authorities said the project in Thiruvananthapuram will be revived soon. "We have requested KSIDC to provide land in Bio Sciences Park at Thonnackal for constructing the hostel. We hope to get a positive response from them. Once the land issue is cleared, we will start the work on detailed project report," said an official.
The foundation is currently preparing a detailed project reports for hostel accommodation in Kalamassery and Ramanattukara with a capacity of 1,000 bed each. At both the places, they could start the project without much hiccups because of the availability of land in industrial parks. Moreover there was demand from the employers of industries also to provide accommodation to migrant workers employed in their respective units.
The foundation plans to construct Apna Ghar hostels in all districts. The collectors have been asked to identify suitable land for hostel accommodation. At these hotels each worker will be allotted a bed, small almirah with keys, common bathroom facilities and centralised cooking gas facility in kitchens. Workers will have to bring their own utensils. Drinking water, electricity and LPG gas are provided free to the inmates. The accommodation will cost Rs 800 per month for the workers.
