On 23 June 2026 the Delhi government approved the Delhi Building and Construction Workers Health Scheme for 2.7 lakh registered construction workers and nearly 10 lakh family beneficiaries.
Coverage and Entitlements
- Beneficiaries: 2.7 lakh registered construction workers and their families (≈10 lakh persons).
- Cashless limits: ₹2 lakh per registered worker per year; ₹10 lakh per registered worker’s family per year.
- Services: annual health check-ups, OPD, IPD, diagnostics, emergency assistance and referral services.
Service Delivery and Technology
- Provider network: empanelled hospitals and mobile medical units deployed at construction sites and worker hubs.
- Digital systems: electronic health records and a beneficiary-tracking system for monitoring and transparency.
- Helpdesk: 24×7 toll-free helpline for scheme assistance and emergency coordination.
Financing and Administration
- Estimated cost: Delhi projects an annual expenditure of ≈₹200 crore for the scheme.
- Funding source (typical): state-level welfare schemes for construction workers are commonly financed from cess and welfare board funds under the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996.
- Targeted risks: addresses occupational ailments common among construction workers such as silicosis, respiratory disorders and skin conditions.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- BOCW Act, 1996: provides for welfare boards, cess collection and schemes for construction workers’ welfare.
- Cashless care model: uses empanelment and pre-authorisation to enable direct billing to the scheme.
- Mobile Medical Units: improve access for informal-sector workers at worksites and unorganised settlements.
- Digital records: assist portability, fraud control and real-time beneficiary verification.