The Delhi Government has stepped up action against dust pollution from road cutting and construction sites as part of its Winter Action Plan, with officials warning that non-compliance will invite strict penalties. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has increased inspections across the city, saying that dust from road work remains a major source of PM2.5 during winter.
The Delhi Government launched the campaign, which aims to tackle pollution at the source. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said dust generated from civil work directly harms public health. “Strict compliance with dust mitigation guidelines is non-negotiable. We are committed to cleaner air for Delhi,” he said.
Sirsa said violations will attract environmental compensation of up to Rs 5 lakh. He added that enforcement teams are deployed across the city and officers have been directed to take immediate action wherever rules are ignored. “There will be zero tolerance for non-compliance,” he said.
DPCC guidelines require clear barriers at construction and road-cutting sites. Agencies must erect wind or dust screens at least two metres high along stretches wider than 18 metres.
Dust-prone areas must be kept moist, and loose material covered with tarpaulin or green nets. Transport vehicles carrying soil or debris must be fully covered, and only PUC-certified vehicles are allowed for hauling material. Waste must be stored only at designated sites.
Workers must be provided with dust masks and protective gear. Agencies must also install signage showing restoration timelines and diversions for public safety. Regular sprinkling of water on unpaved surfaces is mandatory.
The Government has issued strict directions to all contractors, engineers, and field officers to follow these rules without exception. Sirsa said monitoring teams are visiting sites daily. “Any breach will attract penalties. We expect full cooperation from every stakeholder involved in road work,” he said. For citizens, the minister said residents must avoid open burning and report violations. “People of Delhi have a vital role to play,” he said.
Officials said the Government is also taking long-term measures to reduce dust from informal cooking and open fires. As part of the Winter Action Plan, the administration has set up 305 community kitchens that provide cooked food to more than 5,000 people, including truck drivers and construction workers. The aim is to prevent any burning of biomass for cooking.
An average of 3,000 km of roads is being mechanically swept every day, reducing loose dust on major corridors. At Delhi’s borders, enforcement teams are stopping polluting interstate trucks, checking documents, and turning back non-compliant vehicles.
Construction and demolition sites remain under tight watch. More than 50 projects have been shut so far for violations, officials said. The Government said these closures show its seriousness in forcing full adherence to dust-control norms.
In the past 24 hours, teams inspected 331 construction sites under 500 sqm and carried out 510 checks for illegal dumping. Action was taken at 331 such locations. All 50 complaints of open burning led to challans, and 3,108 vehicles were fined for not having valid PUC certificates.
Officials said large-scale daily enforcement will continue through winter as the Government looks to build systemic change in pollution control. The campaign, they said, is central to reducing winter smog and keeping PM2.5 levels in check.