Delhi Govt Fines 4 Construction Projects ₹40 Lakh for Dust Pollution Breaches

Crackdown on Construction Dust

In a decisive move to curb construction-related pollution, the Delhi Environment Department reportedly imposed fines totalling ₹40 lakh on four construction sites near the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The action followed a site inspection carried out during Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), aimed at addressing air pollution during poor air quality periods.

Multiple Dust Norm Violations Found

Officials from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), who conducted the inspection, are said to have found several breaches of dust control norms. These included the absence of mandatory dust and wind-breaking barriers, lack of vehicle wheel-washing facilities, uncovered loose construction materials, insufficient water sprinkling, and failure to provide masks to workers. Additionally, the sites were reportedly not registered on the DPCC portal—a requirement for all construction or demolition projects on plots over 500 sq. metres in the NCR.

Penalties and Suspension Orders Issued

Each of the four sites received a show-cause notice along with a ₹10 lakh penalty, officials confirmed. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa emphasized that stringent action would be taken against such violations, underscoring the government’s commitment to prioritizing public health and cleaner air.

Minister Monitoring Pollution Efforts

Sirsa, who chaired a review meeting earlier this week, reportedly directed authorities to identify and penalize high-polluting sites, industries, and institutions. He also instructed the immediate suspension of construction activities found flouting dust control rules and called for time-bound enforcement of anti-pollution measures throughout Delhi.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on publicly available sources and official statements at the time of publishing. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we do not take responsibility for any errors or omissions. Readers are advised to verify facts independently before making any decisions based on this content.