The reasons are layered. Heatwaves are pushing outdoor work to the brink. Delhi recently recorded its hottest day in four years, with temperatures soaring past 45°C across northern states. Builders now split shifts to avoid the deadly afternoon sun, while hospitals report spikes in heat‑related illnesses. The International Labour Organisation warns India’s construction sector could lose 9% of working hours by 2040 due to rising temperatures - a countdown already underway. The West Asian conflict triggered an LPG shortage, spiking prices. For migrants living on tight budgets, this was unsustainable. Garment factories in Delhi saw production collapse by 50–60% as workers simply went home. And in winter too, Delhi’s toxic smog halts non‑essential construction under GRAP rules, cutting wages overnight. The bigger picture is stark. India wants to be a global manufacturing hub, but its ambitions rest on vulnerable workers. Schemes like the E‑Shram portal exist, yet most migrants cannot access benefits. Experts argue India needs long‑term planning, heat‑hour regulations, health insurance, and climate‑resilient urban design to keep its economy moving, whatever the season.