Sirsa asserts strict enforcement of dust mitigation guidelines

The Delhi government on Friday intensified its dust mitigation measures under its Winter Action Plan at construction and road cutting sites, wherever the carriageways are witnessing maintenance, repair, or other such work.

According to the Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, mitigating dust pollution at the source is essential to tackle rising levels of PM2.5 and protect public health, and therefore more focus is required on such sites.

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Steep fines up to Rs 5 lakh are being imposed for violation of Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) guidelines for dust suppression.

Sirsa said teams are actively monitoring all sites, and any breaches will attract prompt penalties.

Notably, there are nearly 2,000 enforcement teams deployed for real-time monitoring and strict compliance with regard to the pollution mitigation measures.

The minister has said that the government is relentlessly advancing its scientifically designed Winter Action Plan, with a firm focus on curbing pollution at its sources through robust ground interventions.

The Environment Minister stated, “Dust generated from road cutting and construction is a significant contributor to harmful PM2.5 levels in our air. Strict compliance with the dust mitigation guidelines is non-negotiable as we work to protect the health of our citizens and ensure cleaner air for Delhi.”

DPCC’s guidelines require executing agencies and contractors to implement key dust control measures, including dust/ wind barriers of at least 2 meters in height along road cutting stretches wider than 18 meters.

Covering and keeping loose soil and construction debris moist to prevent air-borne dust.

Using tarpaulin or green nets to cover stored material and ensuring transport vehicles are fully covered.

Storing all construction waste only at designated sites and not on public roads, and several others like water sprinkling, use of only PUC certified vehicles for hauling material and others.

The minister stressed, “There will be zero tolerance for non-compliance. Environmental compensation of up to Rs 5 lakh will be levied on agencies found violating these dust mitigation norms.”

The Delhi government has given directions to all executing agencies, ground officers, and contractors to adhere strictly to the DPCC guidelines and contribute to the collective fight against air pollution.

Minister further highlighted that, the enforcement teams have ensured the provision of 305 community kitchens, supplying cooked food to over 5,000 individuals across Delhi to prevent any instances of biomass burning by construction workers, truck drivers and labourers stationed at project sites.

Additionally, as part of the dust-control drive, an average of 3,000 km of roads are being mechanically swept every day, significantly reducing loose dust on major corridors, and at Delhi’s borders, polluting interstate trucks are being strictly checked and stopped, preventing non-compliant heavy vehicles from entering the city.