The Delhi Government has lifted the ban on construction and demolition activities as the overall air quality index (AQI) 315 dropped to the “poor” from the “very poor” category.

Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday said the ban was lifted to ensure there is no further inconvenience to labourers.

The Environment Minister  said strict vigilance through 585 monitoring teams will continue across the city and “any private or Government construction site will be immediately shut if it is found violating any of the 14-point anti-pollution guidelines issued last month.

“We will issue notices later, but construction work will be immediately halted and a penalty will be imposed on the spot, if any construction site, public or private, is found not adhering to the 14-point guidelines. The ban has been removed as air quality is already improving and the labour force is starting to face inconvenience,” he said while briefing the media.

While the decision on work-from-home, the opening of schools, and entry of CNG trucks in Delhi will be taken on November 24 after a joint meeting with concerned department officials, the City Government has extended work from home till November 26.

“One thousand ‘Paryavaran Sewa’ private CNG buses have been hired,” Rai said while urging masses to use them conveying this will help to reduce vehicular pollution.

 “The standing permission in metros and buses has been given with limits of 17 in buses, and 30 per coach for metros. The initiative to impound old petrol/diesel vehicles and PUC certificate checking will continue to tackle vehicle pollution. 4000 people have been fined `10,000 each this month so far for violating pollution norms,” Rai said.

Impounding of old petrol/diesel vehicles and PUC certificate checking will continue.