Air quality panel bans construction activities in Delhi-NCR

NEW DELHI: Centre-appointed air quality panel CAQM on Friday banned construction and
demolition activities in Delhi and adjoining areas till further orders in view of the toxic air in the
region.
However, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) exempted some projects like
those of the railways, airport, inter-state bus terminals and healthcare facilities among others
from the restriction.
“Keeping in view the current air quality in Delhi-NCR, there is a need to exercise control on
various sectors that significantly contribute to air pollution.

“Taking into consideration different studies that clearly show that construction and demolition
sites are a major contributor of air pollution across the NCR, the commission is of the view that
except for the above-said exemptions, construction and demolition activities should not be
allowed in the NCR till further orders,” the panel said in an official order.
It said that construction and demolition activities shall not be allowed in the National Capital
Region, except for projects involving railway services or stations, Metro rail services, airports
and ISBTs, national security or defence-related activities or projects of national importance.
Also exempted are projects involving hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare facilities, linear public
projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines etc.,
sanitation and public utility projects like sewage treatment plants, water pumping stations etc
and ancillary activities specific to and supplementing the mentioned categories of projects, the
CAQM.
The commission said the exemptions are subject to strict compliance of the construction and
demolition waste management rules, dust prevention and control norms, including compliance
with the directions of the commission issued from time to time in this regard.
It said that since the current air quality index is within the ‘very poor’ category, it would not be
advisable to allow the operations at all construction and demolition sites.
“Based on the air quality forecast and significant improvement in air quality, the decision will be
reviewed further,” the panel said.
Citing a 2016 report of IIT Kanpur, the CAQM said construction and demolition activities in Delhi
are frequent and the third-most contributor to area source emission in PM10, and importantly, it
is a consistent source all through the year.
“Additionally, the study estimated that the emission load from construction and demolition
activities in Delhi is 5,167 kg per day and 1,292 kg per day with respect to PM10 and PM2.5
respectively,” the commission said.
It said construction and demolition activities in urban agglomeration of Delhi and NCR are
frequent, numerous and dispersed, and dust from these activities is a major source of air
pollution in the National Capital Region and contributes significantly to adverse PM2.5 and
PM10 levels.
“While the Commission’s restrictions are still in force to control air pollution from two other major
sectors contributing to air pollution namely industries and transport, it is both advisable and
desirable to follow a phased approach in respect of the construction sector also considering the
air quality in NCR,” the CAQM order said.