With the upcoming enforcement of the updated Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) starting from October 1st, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has issued a stern directive to construction companies. They are required to register on a designated web portal without fail, or else their construction activities will not be permitted.

DPCC has reiterated the importance of adhering to the 14-point dust mitigation measures for all project proponents, contractors, builders, and authorities involved in construction and demolition activities within Delhi. Furthermore, DPCC has introduced a comprehensive 27-point checklist that must be followed by projects exceeding 500 square meters in size to combat dust pollution effectively.

To facilitate compliance, DPCC has created an online system named "Dust Pollution Control Self-Assessment" accessible at https://dustcontroldpcc.delhi.gov.in/ This portal enables construction agencies to self-assess their dust pollution control measures. It aligns with the directives issued on June 11, 2021, by the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjacent Areas.

Registration on this portal is crucial for the proper monitoring and evaluation of dust control measures at construction sites. Project proponents are mandated to conduct self-audits and self-assessments of their dust control measures using the parameters provided on the portal. They must upload a self-declaration every fortnight.

The portal also includes provisions for video fencing with remote connectivity for projects within the municipal area of the National Capital Region (NCR) with a plot area equal to or greater than 500 square meters. Additionally, it mandates the installation of reliable, low-cost PM2.5 and PM10 sensors at the project site, connected to a cloud storage platform with a live dashboard on the web portal.

Among the 14-point guidelines are essential measures such as erecting dust/wind-breaking walls of the appropriate height around the construction site, deploying smog guns at sites, covering construction materials, and dust-suppression measures like sprinkling water on unpaved roads.

Under the revised Graded Response Action Plan, the implementation of dust mitigation measures takes effect at Stage-1 when the Air Quality Index of Delhi reaches 201 or exceeds this threshold.