Real estate developers in the National Capital Region (NCR) are now permitted to carry out "non-polluting" work at construction sites during the winter months when pollution levels typically rise. The Commission for Air Quality Management has issued new guidelines this year, specifying certain activities that will be prohibited instead of implementing a complete ban on construction when air quality reaches "severe" (stage III) levels. Industry executives noted that this approach will enable developers to proceed with certain interior tasks.

Harsh Vardhan Bansal, president of the Delhi chapter of the National Real Estate Development Council, mentioned that earlier orders contained a list of permitted activities that often led to misunderstanding. He noted that this year's guidelines provide a clear list of banned activities and restrictions, which would allow them to continue at least 50% of their work and help keep the labour force engaged. He also pointed out that air quality in northern India worsens significantly with the arrival of winter, as lower wind speeds cause air pollutants to linger, further exacerbated by smoke from crop stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana.

Nikhil Hawelia, joint secretary of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India, NCR, stated that there are several non-polluting activities within a real estate project that can be undertaken without harming the environment. He noted that they had presented multiple representatives to the government, which had agreed to most of their demands. This, he said, allows developers to plan these activities in advance. He also highlighted that a three-day ban can lead to delays of over a month, making it challenging to bring workers back to the site.

Mohit Jain, managing director of Krisumi Corporation, remarked that even though the ban lasts for approximately 30 to 45 days, developers need extra time to remobilize the labour force to resume construction activities once the ban is lifted. In this regard, he expressed that the new guidelines are a positive development. He added that, thanks to these guidelines, developers can plan non-polluting work during the pollution-affected months of October to December, which will help ensure minimal delays in their projects.

Sanju Bhadana, managing director of 4S Developers, stated that this year's guidelines are beneficial as they will enable builders to carry out non-polluting activities and better plan their schedules, ultimately ensuring timely completion and benefiting daily wage labourers. Developers noted that labourers are the first to be affected by construction bans, as they come to Delhi-NCR from various parts of the country. When faced with unemployment due to frequent construction bans, they often return home, which leads to delays in delivering apartments to homebuyers.

Developers indicated that the Real Estate Regulatory Authority imposes considerable penalties on builders who fail to deliver apartments within the specified timelines. However, they pointed out that bans under the Graded Response Action Plan-both scheduled and unscheduled-could result in undefined delays, making it difficult to remobilize labourers. Additionally, under stage III, there will be bans on brick furnaces, hot mix plants, stone crushers not using clean fuels, as well as mining and related activities in the NCR. Executives noted that leading construction companies and developers provide their workforce with housing, food, and financial support during these bans.

In conclusion, the new guidelines allowing non-polluting construction activities in the NCR during winter represent a significant shift in how the real estate sector navigates environmental challenges. By enabling developers to maintain productivity while addressing air quality concerns, these regulations aim to strike a balance between economic needs and environmental protection. This proactive approach not only minimizes project delays but also supports the livelihoods of labourers who are often hit hardest by construction bans. As stakeholders adapt to these changes, the hope is for a more sustainable and efficient construction industry that can thrive even among seasonal pollution challenges.