About 3,000 building sites in Gurugram, but 220 registered

As winter approaches, there is growing concern in the Delhi-NCR region due to the apparent disregard for pollution norms at construction sites. Despite regulations in place to prevent the area from succumbing to hazardous air quality, only a mere 220 out of over 3,000 construction sites within the city have registered on the government's dust portal.The dust portal, initiated by the Haryana government in January of the previous year, was established following directives from the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAOM) in October 2021. Its primary purpose is to provide real-time data on pollution levels at construction and demolition sites, offering a live dashboard for monitoring ambient air quality conditions. Mandating the registration of all construction sites covering an area exceeding 500 square meters, the portal aims to enable authorities to oversee emission levels and ensure developers adhere to pollution-reduction protocols.In response to the lack of compliance, officials from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) have pledged to take stringent action against those failing to meet the required standards.HSPCB chairperson P. Raghavendra Rao stated, It is imperative that all construction sites larger than 500 square meters promptly adhere to CAOM norms. Our officials will evaluate the number of defaulters in Gurgaon and ensure strict enforcement of regulations to combat pollution.As winter looms, the situation raises concerns about the region's air quality and the need for construction sites to take immediate steps to mitigate their contribution to the impending environmental challenges.