CAQM Mandates Strict Compliance Measures to Curb Dust Pollution in NCR

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 21st Feb. In a step towards curbing dust pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has issued Direction No. 79.

This directive mandates all agencies responsible for issuing Completion Certificates (CC) or Occupancy Certificates (OC) in the NCR to refrain from granting CC/OC to any project against which a “Closure” direction has been issued by CAQM and is pending.

Furthermore, while considering applications for CC/OC, the concerned agencies are instructed to consult the list of entities awaiting resumption orders, updated weekly on the Commission’s official website. Dust from Construction & Demolition (C&D) activities remains a significant contributor to air pollution in the NCR, particularly during the summer months, impacting PM10 and PM2.5 levels consistently throughout the year.

On-site inspections conducted by Flying Squads constituted by CAQM have revealed a pressing need to enhance compliance levels and effectiveness in implementing statutory directives regarding dust mitigation at C&D project sites.

The Commission has noted instances of non-compliance, where project proponents continue C&D activities despite closure directives and advisories issued by CAQM, exacerbating dust pollution without appropriate preventive measures.

To address these concerns comprehensively, regulatory bodies are urged to ensure that building layout plans, permissions, and sanctions include provisions for dust pollution mitigation during project execution. Regulatory agencies must monitor compliance with these measures periodically.

Given that many infrastructure projects are outsourced to various agencies, it is essential to enforce statutory directives effectively through executing agencies.

Municipal bodies, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), and related departments of NCR State Governments and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi are advised to incorporate dust mitigation provisions in building plan sanctions, tender notices, and contract documents. Quality benchmarks should be stipulated in contracts, accompanied by penal provisions and environmental compensation measures for non-compliance.

Regular inspections during project execution are crucial to ensuring adherence to dust control rules, guidelines, and directives issued by the Commission.