New Delhi: Construction activities in the national capital will be subject to a complete ban from December 10 to January 20 as part of the Delhi government’s comprehensive strategy to mitigate the severe air pollution during the winter months. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday. This measure is part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), aimed at improving air quality when it deteriorates to hazardous levels.
The Chenab Times has learned that construction sites exceeding 500 square meters will be under strict surveillance, utilizing the Delhi government’s Dust Portal and advanced AI-enabled cameras. Chief Minister Gupta urged citizens to actively participate in reporting any violations of the ban, stating, “If you spot any violation, inform MCD, your MLA, or me directly.” She noted that in previous winters, construction had continued at some sites despite existing measures, often concealed behind barriers.
The AI-powered Dust Portal 2.0, launched by the Delhi government in July, is a key component of the enhanced monitoring system. This portal integrates GIS mapping, live 360-degree cameras, PM10 and PM2.5 sensors, and AI analytics to ensure compliance with dust pollution control norms at construction sites of 500 square yards or more. Alerts will be dispatched to the government’s Control and Command Centre for immediate action, including notices, warnings, and fines.
Dr. Sarath Guttikunda, founder and director of UrbanEmissions.Info, has highlighted that construction-related work significantly contributes to dust pollution, accounting for 10 to 30 percent of the total pollution in the “dust” category. Data indicates that construction activities were banned for approximately 20 days in 2021 and 35 days in 2022 due to air quality concerns. The Delhi government has previously announced financial assistance of Rs 8,000 to over 90,000 registered construction workers affected by such bans, following directives from the Supreme Court. This allowance is intended to provide some relief to workers registered under the Building and Other Construction Workers (BoCW) Act, 1996, who have completed at least 90 days of work in the past year, subject to verification.
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) outlines a series of actions based on the Air Quality Index (AQI). Under GRAP-III, which applies when the AQI is between 401-450, all non-essential construction and the entry of certain vehicles into Delhi are banned. When the AQI surpasses 450, triggering GRAP-IV, all construction activities are halted, and further restrictions are imposed on vehicles. While these measures are crucial for public health, they have a significant socio-economic impact on the estimated 800,000 construction workers in Delhi, many of whom are migrants from states like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. These workers often depend on daily wages, and work stoppages can lead to severe financial hardship for their families.
Vehicular emissions have also been identified as a major contributor to Delhi’s air pollution, with studies estimating their share of PM2.5 emissions between 20% and 41%. In response to ongoing pollution concerns, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has also decided to implement phased bans on the registration of new petrol, diesel, and CNG-powered light goods vehicles. These vehicles, categorized as N1 (up to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight), will not be registered in Delhi from January 1, 2027. Similar restrictions will extend to major National Capital Region (NCR) districts like Gurugram, Faridabad, and Sonipat by July 1, 2027, and to all remaining NCR districts by January 1, 2028. Non-electric N2 vehicles (3.5 to 7.5 tonnes) will face a registration ban from January 1, 2028. The CAQM is also strengthening measures to control dust from stone crusher units, making Central Pollution Control Board guidelines mandatory and employing technologies like video surveillance and PM2.5 sensors for enhanced monitoring.
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