New Delhi: It will take at least a week or so to assess how allowing migrant workers to go back to their native place plays out and its impact on construction activities, sources in government and private construction sector said.Some of the officials told TOI that there is an apprehension that most of the workers who are now staying in labour camps at construction sites may prefer to go home at least for some time. They added if there is large-scale exodus of migrant workers, kick-starting work at sites would get adversely impacted.“Labourers who could not go home were ready to take up work rather than sitting idle. They have been speaking about their wish to meet their family members or to be with ailing parents during this time of crisis. Obviously, they would like to return home. You can’t build roads without labourers,” said a senior executive of a highway construction company.Officials at National Highways Authority of India NHAI ) also admitted that once labourers go back to their villages, it’s highly unlikely that they would return in the next three-four months. “You need manpower at the site where work is going on,” said an official. Union highways minister Nitin Gadkari had recently said that bringing back migrant workers will be the toughest task while urging factory owners to give priority to provide work to such persons who play a key role in economic activities in urban centres. He had said both government and private players would have to offer something to keep people back at work sites and to bring back those who have left.Officials from NHAI, road ministry and Central Public Works Department (CPWD) said the situation may become critical as they may have to face huge labour crunch to carry out construction activities.