With no let up in the pollution level in the NCR region that has left the citizens gasping for breath, the Centre’s panel on air quality management for Delhi-NCR has empowered the member secretaries of pollution control bodies in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi to take legal action against project proponents and agencies found guilty of serious violations of pollution control norms at construction sites.
In a crucial meeting held recently, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued stringent directives aimed at strengthening the monitoring and enforcement of air pollution control measures at construction and demolition sites. The CAQM emphasised the importance of strict action to curb the growing air pollution levels in the region, particularly due to unregulated construction activities.
The commission’s new mandate allows the member secretaries of the pollution control boards and committees in the four states—Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi—to take legal steps against those responsible for significant violations at construction sites. These actions could include fines, penalties, and, in extreme cases, legal proceedings. Additionally, the panel instructed officials to shut down non-compliant sites and recover environmental compensation charges from offenders.
The pollution problem in these states has been steadily worsening, contributing significantly to the air quality crisis in the Delhi-NCR region. Delhi, in particular, remains one of the most polluted cities in the world, with a combination of vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and stubble burning during the winter months. Nearby states like Haryana and Punjab also face challenges from crop residue burning, a major contributor to seasonal air pollution spikes. Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are grappling with increasing industrial emissions and construction dust, further aggravating the situation.
The CAQM also reviewed the ongoing implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a set of guidelines that prescribes specific measures to address pollution based on real-time air quality levels. The commission emphasised that more rigorous enforcement of GRAP measures is necessary to effectively tackle pollution and protect public health. This decision is one of the several measures the government has taken to combat the alarming levels of air pollution in Delhi-NCR, which has been a persistent concern in recent years, said a government official.
