Delhi Construction Defies Pollution Curbs

Construction activities in Delhi are continuing despite the implementation of Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap), which mandates a ban on such work to combat severe air pollution. Reports indicate that sites in various parts of the capital, including residential and commercial zones, remain active. Workers are often seen without masks, and construction debris litters roads, highlighting a significant gap in enforcement. Residents have expressed frustration over the persistent dust and noise, noting that restrictions appear to be merely on paper.

While private construction projects are reportedly operating, major public infrastructure projects, such as underground metro stations and the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), continue with official permissions. These projects claim to adhere to dust-control norms, employing measures like anti-smog guns and water sprinkling. However, the visibility of dust and lack of protective gear among workers at some public sites raises concerns about the effectiveness of these measures and the overall enforcement strategy.

Pollution experts emphasize that construction dust is a major contributor to Delhi's winter smog, particularly PM10 particles. They suggest that regulators lack sufficient manpower for physical site inspections and that mandated on-site air quality monitoring stations are not always effectively utilized. Civic agencies acknowledge uneven enforcement due to manpower shortages and poor inter-departmental coordination, exacerbating the challenges in controlling pollution sources during the city's critical air quality period.