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The Delhi government has announced a complete ban on construction activities across the city from December 10 to January 20 as part of its measures to control winter air pollution. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said construction sites larger than 500 square metres will be monitored through the government’s Dust Portal and AI-enabled cameras. The move follows concerns that construction continued at some sites during the previous winter despite restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan. The government will use real-time monitoring, alerts and enforcement action to identify violations during the ban period.
Construction activities across Delhi will be completely prohibited from December 10 to January 20 to reduce pollution during the winter season, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced. The restriction will cover construction work across the city and will be implemented as part of the government’s winter pollution control measures.
Gupta said construction sites measuring more than 500 square metres will be monitored through the Delhi government’s Dust Portal and AI-enabled cameras. Citizens have also been asked to report violations to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), their MLAs or the chief minister.
The government has introduced the measure after finding that construction work continued at some locations during the previous winter despite restrictions imposed under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Authorities said some work was carried out behind covers, making enforcement difficult. This year, the government plans to monitor such sites in real time and take action against violations.
The monitoring system will connect construction sites with the government’s Control and Command Centre. Officials will receive alerts when violations are detected, after which notices, warnings and fines can be issued.
The Delhi government had launched the AI-powered Dust Portal 2.0 in July to strengthen monitoring of construction and demolition activities. The system, developed by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, uses GIS mapping, live 360-degree PTZ cameras, PM10 and PM2.5 sensors and AI-based analysis to track dust pollution and compliance at construction sites.
The portal generates yellow, orange and red alerts based on pollution levels and allows digital issuance of compliance certificates and enforcement notices. It also provides district-wise monitoring, pollution trend data and hotspot analysis, while project proponents and officials can access live camera feeds and sensor information remotely.
The government’s Winter Pollution Master Plan, notified in July, has already provided for the construction ban to remain applicable irrespective of the GRAP restrictions in force at the time. The plan also provides for a ban on dust-generating demolition activities from November 1 to January 31.
The construction sector will therefore face a fixed winter restriction this year rather than relying only on restrictions triggered by worsening air quality under GRAP. The move is aimed at limiting construction-related dust during the period when winter weather conditions generally make it harder for pollutants to disperse.
Source PTI
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