Construction activities in Delhi-NCR have resumed after a 26-day gap as the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked the third stage of its Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-III) imposed on November 2 due to high air pollution levels. GRAP-III restrictions included a ban on construction and demolition activities. The AQI dropped from 395 to 312 on November 28, prompting the revocation. Real estate developers welcomed the move. Industry bodies urged future exemptions for real estate from GRAP restrictions, emphasizing the impact of the restrictions on project costs, delays, and job losses and highlighting pollution-mitigating measures already implemented.
Construction activities in Delhi-NCR have resumed as the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-III) restrictions imposed by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) have now been lifted. GRAP-III, enforced on November 2, imposed limitations on construction and demolition work in the region due to elevated air pollution levels.
The CAQM's decision to revoke the ban on November 28 was prompted by the decline in the Air Quality Index (AQI) from 395 to 312, categorizing it as 'very poor.' Stage III of GRAP includes bans on stone crushing, mining, and construction activities, with exceptions for essential projects like railways and national highways.
Developers expressed relief as construction activities resumed after a 26-day hiatus, foreseeing positive outcomes for meeting project deadlines and benefiting homebuyers. They emphasized the adverse impact of construction halts on project costs, delivery delays, and job losses among daily-wage workers. However, they acknowledged a gradual return to full construction operations in the coming days.
Manoj Gaur, Chairman of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI)-National and CMD of Gaurs Group, welcomed the removal of GRAP-III restrictions in Delhi-NCR. He urged policymakers to consider exempting the real estate sector from future GRAP restrictions, citing escalated project costs, delayed possessions, and increased loan-servicing costs for homebuyers during construction stoppages. CREDAI-NCR advised its member developers to proactively implement pollution-mitigating measures, such as anti-smog guns, material covering, and regular water sprinkling.
G Hari Babu, National President of the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), anticipates renewed construction efforts contributing not only to meeting project deadlines but also fostering economic growth, offering a positive trajectory for homebuyers. Despite the initial setback, there is a vision of steady recovery with a focus on balancing growth with environmental responsibility.
In essence, the resumption of construction activities signals relief for the real estate sector in Delhi-NCR, accompanied by industry requests for future exemptions and proactive pollution-mitigating measures to ensure sustainable growth.
This story was earlier published in MoneyControl
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