Given that dust plays a crucial role in polluting the air, the Delhi Government, in a first instructed major private construction agencies to follow norms to stop dust pollution within 15 days.
Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, on Friday said all private agencies should hold a review meeting at their construction sites to see which guidelines are being followed and which are not and comply, accordingly. “Our Government will take strict action against private agencies found not following the norms as per the Winter Action Plan (WAP). Pollution is an issue related to our own life and our children's lives; we all have to fight for clean air together,” Rai said during his interaction with construction sector representatives.
To curb dust pollution, the Delhi Government called for a meeting of all agencies which are involved in construction activities, like the MCD, DDA, CPWD and PWD. They have been asked to submit their action plan by September 21. In private agencies, L&T, the GMR Group, Raheja Developers, NDMMPL and the NBCC have been included. “We have informed them of whatever shortcomings that we observed from their end. In this fight against pollution, we have communicated strict directions to private construction agencies and sought compliance from all of them. Instructions have been given to the agencies to conduct review meetings individually,” Rai added.
The Minister also instructed them to follow the 14 -point guidelines to prevent dust pollution. The construction/demolition activity in NCT of Delhi can only be undertaken after ensuring the Dust Mitigation Measures prescribed as dust/wind breaking walls of appropriate height around the periphery of the construction site. Installation of Anti-Smog Gun(s) (for >20,000 m2 built up area). A tarpaulin, green net on the scaffolding is to be put up around the area under construction and the building.
All vehicles, including those carrying construction material and construction debris of any kind, should be cleaned, their wheels washed and they should be fully covered and protected. All construction debris and material should be stored on the site and not dumped on public roads or pavements. No loose soil, sand, construction and demolition waste or any other construction material that causes dust shall be left uncovered. No grinding and cutting of building materials in open areas. Wet jets should be used in grinding and stone cutting. Unpaved surfaces and areas with loose soil should be adequately sprinkled with water to suppress dust. Roads leading to or at construction sites must be paved and blacktopped i.e. metallic roads (for >20,000 m2 built up area). Construction and demolition waste should be recycled on-site or transported to an authorised recycling facility and due record of the same should be maintained.
Every worker working on the construction site and involved in loading, unloading and carriage of construction material and construction debris should be provided with an anti-dust mask to prevent inhalation of dust particles. Arrangement should be provided for medical help, investigation and treatment to workers involved in the construction of building and carry of construction material and debris relatable to dust emission and dust mitigation measures shall be displayed prominently at the construction site for easy public viewing.