Ban on construction, demolition lifted after pollution level drops in Delhi

After the Delhi Pollution Control Committee recorded a one-third fall in the particulate matter (PM) 10 levels and one-fourth fall in PM 2.5 levels, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung lifted the ban imposed on construction and demolition activities in the city, in the second review meeting held today.

"In view of the loss of income to daily wage labourers and the labouring class, ban on construction/ demolition to be lifted forthwith," said the Raj Bhawan statement, however, it was directed that the DPCC guidelines for minimizing dust in construction sites must be strictly adhered to.

The special Commissioner of police, Traffic informed Jung that following his order, construction work was stopped at 539 sites and 29 cases were registered by the department.

Over 1.5 crores revenue was generated from the violators of construction/demolition activities in the last one week.

While there has been no respite on the use of firecrackers and diesel generating sets, trucks will only be allowed to enter the national capital after 12 midnight till 31 January 2017.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain, Environment and Forest Minister Imran Hussain, Delhi police and representatives from all three MCDs attended the meeting.

Earlier on 7 November, Jung had held an emergency review meet after the air quality in the national capital touched an alarming 999 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter in some, which is more than 15-16 times the limit considered safe.

--ANI