Delhi Government to Launch Karmik Sewa Kendras on Passport Seva Model

New Delhi, April 20, 2026 — The Delhi government has announced plans to establish “Karmik Sewa Kendras” across the city to streamline welfare services for construction workers, modeled after the Passport Seva Kendra system.

The initiative aims to provide a single-window facility for registration, grievance redressal, and access to various welfare schemes targeting the city’s large informal labor force in the construction sector.

Modelled on Passport Seva Kendras

The Karmik Sewa Kendras will operate on the same principles as the Passport Seva Kendras, which are known for their efficient, appointment-based service delivery and citizen-friendly infrastructure. Officials said the new centres will adopt similar digital token systems, biometric verification, and time-bound service protocols to reduce bureaucratic delays.

Each Kendra will facilitate registration under the Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Welfare Board, enabling workers to access benefits such as accident compensation, maternity support, pension schemes, and educational assistance for their children.

Addressing Gaps in Worker Welfare

Despite existing welfare provisions, many construction workers in Delhi remain unregistered or unaware of their entitlements due to fragmented outreach and complex procedures. The government estimates that over 1 million migrant and local workers are engaged in the city’s construction projects, yet only a fraction are currently availing welfare benefits.

Labour officials cited instances where injured workers faced delays in receiving compensation due to lack of proper documentation or registration. The Karmik Sewa Kendras aim to close these gaps by offering on-site assistance with form filling, document verification, and direct linkage to welfare disbursement channels.

Implementation and Rollout Plan

The first phase will see the establishment of 20 Kendras in high-density construction zones, including areas near major infrastructure projects such as the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, urban redevelopment sites, and upcoming metro extensions. Locations will be selected in coordination with the Delhi Development Authority and municipal corporations.

Each centre will be staffed by trained personnel from the Labour Department and equipped with multilingual support to accommodate workers from various linguistic backgrounds, including Hindi, Bhojpuri, Bengali, and Odia speakers.

Broader Context of Labour Welfare in Delhi

Delhi has one of the largest concentrations of informal construction workers in India, many of whom migrate from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. While national laws such as the Building and Other Construction Workers Act, 1996 mandate welfare provisions, implementation has often been uneven at the state level.

The Karmik Sewa Kendras represent a localized effort to strengthen enforcement and accessibility, aligning with broader goals under the Delhi government’s urban labour inclusion strategy. Similar models have been piloted in cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad with reported improvements in registration rates and benefit uptake.

Next Steps

The government has invited expressions of interest from NGOs and technical partners to assist in training staff and managing digital infrastructure. A pilot evaluation is expected after six months, with potential expansion based on feedback and utilization data.

Officials emphasized that the Kendras are not intended to replace existing labour offices but to complement them by bringing services closer to where workers live and work.