JICA pledges to improve construction site safety

On the occasion of ‘World Day for Safety and Health at Work’, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) reaffirmed its commitment to improving infrastructure and construction site safety in India, guided by its’safety first’ attitude.

JICA is now helping more than 80 significant infrastructure projects through financial cooperation. These include the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022; the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), which will open in 2024; and marquee initiatives such as the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) and the Northeast Region Network Connectivity Improvement Project (NERNCIP), which are currently under construction.

These programmes are based on JICA’s key idea of ‘creating a safety culture in India’, under which the organisation provides comprehensive technical assistance to improve safety and quality standards. JICA has been devoted to occupational safety since 2015, when its President released a statement underlining the importance of safety in construction activity. According to a report released by the International Labour Organisation in 2023, approximately 30 lakh workers worldwide die each year as a result of workplace accidents and diseases. As India strives to become a worldwide economic powerhouse, it is critical to prioritise occupational safety in the country. To meet this demand, JICA is leading continuing efforts to improve safety in India’s infrastructure and building projects.

On the occasion of ‘World Day for Safety and Health at Work’, SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative of JICA India, stated, “In India, where the construction sector serves as the second-largest employment generator, with an estimated workforce of 71 million (7.1 crore), it is imperative to acknowledge the inherent risks associated with this vital industry. On this World Day for Safety and Health at Work, we emphasise the crucial importance of maintaining the safety of all employees. Recognising the significance of these concerns, JICA remains determined to confront this challenge head-on. We have put in place extensive measures to prevent construction accidents, such as carefully assigning construction safety experts to oversee safety protocols and projects.

For more details, visit: https://www.jica.go.jp/india/english/index.html

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