Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Friday announced a complete halt to construction and demolition activities across the National Capital Region (NCR) from November 5 to November 20, in an effort to curb escalating air pollution levels during the winter season.
Source: ANI via Daily Prabhat
Yadav said the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) would issue a formal order on Friday, October 30, imposing the restrictions across the region. The ban will cover dust-generating demolition work and outdoor construction activities, while projects of national importance will remain exempt, he said.
The restrictions will extend beyond Delhi to other NCR areas, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar and Sonipat. During the 15 days, offices will also be encouraged to operate with 50 per cent physical attendance, with the remaining employees working remotely, and CAQM will prepare guidelines in this regard.
Source: Daily Jagran
A senior official told The Hindu that the measure is being taken considering that Deepavali falls on November 8 and pollution from firecrackers is expected to increase, making the first half of November a critical period for air quality in the region.
Source: The Hindu via News4Exchange
The announcement came amid fluctuating air quality in the capital. Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI), which remained above 200 in the 'poor' category on Wednesday and Thursday, improved to 133 in the 'moderate' category as of 4 am on Friday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), after overnight rain lashed the region.
Delhi has separately issued a notice stopping construction and demolition activities from November 1, and the Delhi government's winter action plan provides for restrictions on dust-generating demolition and outdoor civil construction from November 1 to January 31, with a complete ban from December 10 to January 20. The newly announced NCR-wide restriction from November 5 to 20 is an additional measure covering areas beyond the national capital.