Godrej Properties Launches ‘Godrej SAHYOG’ to Address Mental Health Needs of Construction Workers

Mumbai: In a significant move to deepen worker-centric practices in India’s construction sector, Godrej Properties has launched Godrej SAHYOG, a structured mental health and well-being programme designed specifically for construction workers across its project sites.

The initiative marks a shift in how large real estate developers are approaching workforce welfare—moving beyond traditional safety and compliance frameworks to address emotional, psychological, and social well-being, particularly among migrant labour communities that form the backbone of India’s urban growth.

From Pilot to National Rollout

Godrej SAHYOG follows a six-month pilot programme conducted across six construction sites in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. During the pilot phase, more than 2,000 workers participated in structured psycho-education sessions and counselling interventions. Based on its outcomes, the company is now scaling the initiative nationwide.

The programme will be rolled out across 79 identified construction sites, covering an estimated 30,000 workers in key real estate markets including Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh.

The scale of the rollout positions SAHYOG among the more comprehensive mental health initiatives in India’s private-sector construction ecosystem.

Addressing an Under-Recognised Challenge

India’s construction workforce is largely migrant, with many workers living far from their families and social support networks for extended periods. External studies have consistently highlighted elevated levels of psychological stress, anxiety, and emotional distress among migrant construction workers—issues that are often overshadowed by a narrower focus on physical safety.

Godrej SAHYOG seeks to address this gap through a multi-layered support model. The programme provides 24/7 access to trained mental health professionals, ensuring confidential and stigma-free support. Interventions include monthly on-site group sessions, personalised one-on-one counselling, and a round-the-clock audio-visual helpline for counselling and crisis support.

The initiative is being implemented in partnership with 1to1 Help, a professional mental health services organisation with a presence across major Indian cities.

Leadership Perspective: Dignity of Labour

Announcing the initiative, Pirojsha Godrej, Executive Chairperson of Godrej Properties, framed the programme as both a business and societal responsibility.

“India’s growth is being shaped every day by millions who build our cities and infrastructure. Caring for the well-being of those who build the nation is not just a business responsibility; it is a societal imperative,” he said. “Through Godrej SAHYOG, we are seeking to recognise the dignity of labour and ensure that mental health support becomes an integral part of how we think about inclusive growth and nation building.”

The comments reflect a broader shift among large Indian corporates toward embedding social sustainability into core operations, rather than treating worker welfare as a peripheral CSR activity.

Creating Humane Construction Sites

Echoing this sentiment, Gaurav Pandey, Managing Director and CEO of Godrej Properties, highlighted the lived realities of construction workers.

“At Godrej Properties, building homes also means taking responsibility for the people who build them,” Pandey said. “Many of our site workers live far from their families and familiar support systems. Godrej SAHYOG is an acknowledgement of their lived reality and a commitment to creating construction sites that are not just efficient, but also humane, supportive, and respectful.”

Clinical Insights from the Pilot

From a healthcare perspective, Divyang Doshi, Chief Medical Officer at Godrej Industries Group, noted that the pilot phase demonstrated the value of early intervention and workplace-based mental health access.

“Construction workers often operate outside formal mental health support systems, which can intensify stress over time,” Doshi said. “During the pilot, structured group sessions and confidential counselling helped normalise conversations, build trust, and enable early intervention.”

He added that partnering with 1to1 Help allows Godrej to deliver clinically informed, professional support directly at worksites, where access is often the biggest barrier.

Beyond Safety: A Broader Wellbeing Framework

Traditionally, construction-sector welfare initiatives have centred on occupational safety, accident prevention, and physical health. Godrej SAHYOG represents a deliberate expansion of this framework to include mental and emotional well-being as core elements of workplace safety.

The programme was formally launched at Godrej City Panvel in the presence of senior leadership from Godrej Properties and the Godrej Industries Group, including Megha Goel, Chief Human Resources Officer, Godrej Properties; Sandeep Navlakhe, Chief Operations Officer, Godrej Properties; V Swaminathan, Corporate Audit & Assurance, Godrej Industries Group; Ajay Bhatt, Group Head – Corporate Services, Godrej Industries Group; and Kunal Ashok, Chief Growth Officer, 1to1 Help.

Setting a Precedent for the Sector

As India continues its rapid urban expansion, labour-intensive sectors such as construction face growing scrutiny on ESG performance, particularly on social indicators. Initiatives like Godrej SAHYOG could set new benchmarks for responsible workforce practices in real estate and infrastructure development.

By integrating mental health into everyday site operations, Godrej Properties is signalling that inclusive development requires not just building sustainable structures, but also sustaining the people who build them.