The Delhi government is mulling over proposals to tighten the noose around real estate developers whose projects cause dust pollution. A five-year action plan prepared by the government and the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) to improve Delhi's air quality says that for material
handling, construction or demolition, developers will have to provide evidence of debris disposal at designated sites.
The plan recommends that the Delhi government should adopt dust-control regulations and techniques for the construction industry, road-building agencies and municipal bodies.
“After construction activities are over, developers will have to use water to stabilise surfaces and loose soil. They will have to use other dust-suppressant techniques,” said a senior government official. “We intend to set up proper disposal sites for construction debris. We also want to promote recycling of building material and set up sites for the purpose.”
“Delhi faces massive dust pollution and needs strategies and strict implementation to combat the menace. Heavy vehicular traffic on dust-laden roads is a main contributor. Construction and demolition wastes are enormous. We need a road map for its proper disposal,” he added.
Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director in charge of air pollution and transportation programme at the CSE, said, "Dust coming out of construction sites and roads is non-toxic. It's respiratory irritant. But it provides a surface area to poisonous gases. If we want to control air pollution, we must control dust."
“We will implement design guidelines for footpaths and bicycle tracks with adequate vegetation barriers. Vegetation acts as a buffer to dust,” said the official.
