The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR has announced stricter measures to tackle dust pollution from construction and demolition (C&D) activities. CAQM has issued an order highlighting its efforts to combat dust pollution caused by such activities.
Studies show that dust from C&D sites significantly contributes to poor air quality in Delhi and surrounding areas, especially during summer.
The CAQM has previously issued directives to:
- Implement C&D Waste Management Rules (2016) by MoEF&CC.
- Follow dust mitigation guidelines (2017) by CPCB.
- Mandate registration on web portals for large C&D projects (>500 sqm).
- Deploy anti-smog guns at C&D sites.
- Withhold completion certificates for projects with pending closure orders due to dust violations.
- Integrate dust mitigation measures in project permissions and contracts.
The Supreme Court recently expressed concern about non-compliance with these regulations.
The court directed the CAQM to:
- Verify registration of all C&D sites on web portals.
- Take stricter action against non-compliant sites, not just a select few.
To comply with the court’s order, the CAQM reiterates and strengthens existing directives:
- Mandatory registration on web portals for large C&D projects before starting construction/demolition.
- Immediate closure orders for non-compliant large projects.
- Stringent enforcement of dust suppression measures for smaller, unregistered projects.
- Regular inspections and stricter punitive actions, including environment compensation charges and closures, for severely violating sites.
- Monthly progress reports on air quality improvement to the CAQM.
