New Delhi, 09 October (H.S.): With Delhi stepping up efforts to curb pollution ahead of winter, the Delhi government has intensified surveillance at construction sites across the capital. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) is conducting regular and surprise inspections of both government and private projects. Following the detection of lapses in compliance with prescribed dust-control measures, show-cause notices have been issued to certain projects associated with the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited (NBCC).

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has made it clear that pollution-control regulations apply equally to all government departments and private agencies. No department, construction agency, contractor or private company will be granted exemption in the event of a violation. She said the government's priority is to ensure clean air for the people of Delhi. While development activities must continue, compliance with environmental standards must be ensured under all circumstances.

During its inspections, the DPCC examined dust-control measures at a Delhi Jal Board sewer-line laying project in the Patparganj Industrial Area. Inspections were also conducted at NHAI projects along National Highway 9 (NH-9) and the 17.2-kilometre corridor on Rohtak Road stretching from Punjabi Bagh to Tikri Kalan, particularly around Mundka Metro Station and the Mundka Industrial Area.

Dust-control measures were further examined at works associated with the Delhi Metro and the Central Vista project near Gate No. 3, close to Krishi Bhawan, at Central Secretariat Metro Station. The inspections also covered NBCC's General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) projects in Sarojini Nagar and Netaji Nagar. Notices have been issued to the concerned project agencies after inspections revealed deficiencies in compliance with prescribed standards.

According to the Delhi government, depending on the nature and severity of the violations, enforcement measures may include suspension of construction work, disconnection of electricity supply and the imposition of environmental compensation under the applicable provisions.

The Chief Minister said the government's intention was not to obstruct construction activities at sites where regulations were being followed. However, any violations detected would invite action in accordance with the law.

She said the government was focusing on controlling pollution at its source in a timely manner under its winter pollution-control action plan. The 'No PUC, No Fuel' initiative, aimed at curbing vehicular emissions, has also been implemented on a mission-mode basis since October 1. In addition, action is being taken against vehicle emissions, dust from roads and construction sites, industrial pollution, the burning of waste and organic residues, and pollution hotspots across the capital.

The Chief Minister said technology-driven monitoring had been strengthened through an Integrated Command and Control Centre to make pollution-control measures more effective. The government is emphasising ground-level enforcement based on real-time pollution data, along with greater accountability for the agencies concerned.

Construction agencies have been directed to keep construction materials and debris covered, carry out regular water sprinkling, install and operate anti-smog guns wherever required, and erect barriers to prevent dust from spreading. Registration on the dust-monitoring portal and compliance with the prescribed environmental standards have also been made mandatory.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said controlling dust emissions from construction sites was a key component of the government's pollution-control strategy. The DPCC is conducting continuous inspections, and agencies found violating the rules are being held accountable.

He stressed that government projects would face the same enforcement action as private projects if violations were detected. Protecting Delhi's air quality and safeguarding the health of its citizens remain the government's foremost priorities, he said, adding that no special concessions would be granted to anyone in matters of regulatory compliance.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar