Chennai: Gig workers delivering food and other essentials will soon have a place to rest between deliveries, with a 24/7 air-conditioned lounge coming up on GNT Road in Erukkanchery in chief minister C Joseph Vijay’s Perambur constituency. This is among four development projects worth ₹1.45 crore coming up in the constituency.The lounge will have drinking water, toilet facilities and charging points. It will be assembled and installed at the site, Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) assistant engineer for Ward 35 Vinod,, said.A study on the status of platform-based gig workers in Tamil Nadu, conducted by the State Planning Commission this year, found that 78.8% of respondents did not have access to clean and hygienic toilets during working hours, while 74.5% lacked access to clean drinking water. These gaps pose health and dignity concerns for workers who spend 10 to 15 hours a day on the road. The study surveyed 255 gig workers across Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore and found that the workforce was predominantly young, with most respondents aged between 18 and 38.Apart from the lounge, road work worth around ₹80 lakh will be carried out in wards 35 and 37. The roads include Rettamalai Srinivasa Street, Krishnamoorthy Salai, and MKB Nagar West Avenue. Classrooms will be constructed at Chennai Primary School in Udayasuriyan Nagar at ₹38 lakh.The bhoomi pooja for the four projects was performed by Tamil Nadu Housing Board chairman V Siva, who is also TVK north secretary. “We are taking up several development works in the chief minister’s constituency on his instructions. We also stocked the Perambur MLA’s office with educational supplies, including notebooks and pens, for students. Many students came forward to collect them. We will continue to take up more work for the constituency,” Siva said.
