patna real estate sector in the state continues to bear the brunt of nationwide lockdown despite several relaxations given by the centre for construction activities realtors said bookings for flats have plunged sharply and they are doing virtual site visits for the clients president of bihar chapter of builders association of india sachin chandra said even though construction work at most sites has resumed the process is not so smooth construction work is progressing at a snails pace due to reduced manpower as a builder i am required to take extra precautions because even if one worker gets infected the entire project will come to a halt he saidchandra added the only silver lining is that we are getting enquires from nris besides some people who sold their flats in patna threefour years ago are also looking forward to buying onerealtors said since the government has allowed certain activities to resume in the sector it should also look after the availability of necessary raw materials unavailability of raw materials and lack of workers skilled as well as nonskilled are big problems the skilled workers have left the city said another realtor on condition of anonymityas per guidelines for construction activities workers are allowed to work for 14 days on rotation basis one batch for 14 days and another batch for 14 days confederation of real estate developers associations of india credaibihar vice president sudip kumar said work has been allowed at construction sites provided workers stay on the premises and follow all social distancing norms reduced number of workers at the construction sites has disrupted the projects in addition unavailability of raw materials is a major issue besides prices of several materials including cement have increased by 20 he saidkumar said booking of flats has witnessed a major downfall as people are not allowed to visit the construction sites they are inspecting the flats via video calls as a result just four to five bookings have been made in the last two months he saidasked about providing employment to migrants who have returned to the state from various parts of the country due to the lockdown realtors said the sector would not be able to employ many workers the workforce in the state has definitely increased but we do not have enough construction projects to accommodate all migrant workers the government should definitely plan something else for them said chandrameanwhile people who have booked or are planning to book flats are finding it difficult to get bank loans uma shankar prasad who booked a flat in a residential society located at saguna mor said i am looking forward to cancelling my booking as it wont be possible for me to get bank loans at this point of time