Air pollution measures in Delhi NCR hit construction projects
WAREHOUSING & LOGISTICS

Air pollution measures in Delhi NCR hit construction projects

Many construction projects in Delhi will suffer a blowback, after the implementation of measures under the Graded Response Action Plan due to critical air pollutants persisting at ‘Severe+’ levels in the state. With the enforcement of GRAP in NCR with immediate effect from Tuesday, work carried out by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Delhi Government and many other projects are likely to be hindered.

After the GRAP protocols were enforced, officers of the DMRC had stated that they would follow the required measures to control the pollution levels. As per a DMRC official, the construction work has been stalled for six metro construction sites: Aerocity-Tughlaqabad, Janakpuri West-RK Ashram Marg and Majlis Park-Maujpur. These stretches are part of the three approved corridors from the Phase IV project.

Among the current projects of the Delhi Government, some are guaranteed to be delayed as per the construction ban due to GRAP. They are the underpass projects and the Pragati Maidan tunnel by the Public Works Department, Barapullah Phase III, Chandni Chowk redevelopment, Ashram underpass, rework on the nine major city roads, and the new Lok Nayak Hospital block construction that was recently initiated by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Projects related to the municipal corporation development that may be affected due to GRAP are the new waste management plants in Burari and Ghoda-Gujran, railway overbridge construction in Sultanpuri, and multilevel parking structures in Karol Bagh and Idgah. Apart from these, the mega shopping complex at Gandhi Maidan near Chandni Chowk by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation will be running behind the designated deadline. Work being done by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation on the automated parking lot towers in Lajpat Nagar and Adhchini will most likely be affected as well.

Officers of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) acknowledged that they have been following strict pollution control measures since October for all six metro construction sites. They had focused mainly on keeping a check on the continuous dust pollution. As a result, wind barricades have been installed that are about six metres high, among other measures, to prevent dust from escaping. As further preventive measures, wheel washing facilities have been put up at the exit gate to avoid soil or muck being deposited on the road from the construction sites.

DMRC has announced that it will also use a nozzle-based mist system as well as water sprinkling to keep the dust emitted from the work sites under control. Water will be sprayed to subdue dust when digging up soil or during demolition. As further precautionary measures, sand, soil, debris, and all dust prone equipment found on these construction sites will be fully covered.

Senior officials of the DMRC's environment department have taken charge of teams to conduct inspection drives at construction sites to ensure that pollution control measures are being taken. One of the officials had said that the team is keeping the quality of air in mind and that DMRC will be focusing on taken up signalling works, electrical works, and more that are non-polluting.

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

Many construction projects in Delhi will suffer a blowback, after the implementation of measures under the Graded Response Action Plan due to critical air pollutants persisting at ‘Severe+’ levels in the state. With the enforcement of GRAP in NCR with immediate effect from Tuesday, work carried out by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Delhi Government and many other projects are likely to be hindered. After the GRAP protocols were enforced, officers of the DMRC had stated that they would follow the required measures to control the pollution levels. As per a DMRC official, the construction work has been stalled for six metro construction sites: Aerocity-Tughlaqabad, Janakpuri West-RK Ashram Marg and Majlis Park-Maujpur. These stretches are part of the three approved corridors from the Phase IV project. Among the current projects of the Delhi Government, some are guaranteed to be delayed as per the construction ban due to GRAP. They are the underpass projects and the Pragati Maidan tunnel by the Public Works Department, Barapullah Phase III, Chandni Chowk redevelopment, Ashram underpass, rework on the nine major city roads, and the new Lok Nayak Hospital block construction that was recently initiated by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Projects related to the municipal corporation development that may be affected due to GRAP are the new waste management plants in Burari and Ghoda-Gujran, railway overbridge construction in Sultanpuri, and multilevel parking structures in Karol Bagh and Idgah. Apart from these, the mega shopping complex at Gandhi Maidan near Chandni Chowk by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation will be running behind the designated deadline. Work being done by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation on the automated parking lot towers in Lajpat Nagar and Adhchini will most likely be affected as well. Officers of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) acknowledged that they have been following strict pollution control measures since October for all six metro construction sites. They had focused mainly on keeping a check on the continuous dust pollution. As a result, wind barricades have been installed that are about six metres high, among other measures, to prevent dust from escaping. As further preventive measures, wheel washing facilities have been put up at the exit gate to avoid soil or muck being deposited on the road from the construction sites. DMRC has announced that it will also use a nozzle-based mist system as well as water sprinkling to keep the dust emitted from the work sites under control. Water will be sprayed to subdue dust when digging up soil or during demolition. As further precautionary measures, sand, soil, debris, and all dust prone equipment found on these construction sites will be fully covered. Senior officials of the DMRC's environment department have taken charge of teams to conduct inspection drives at construction sites to ensure that pollution control measures are being taken. One of the officials had said that the team is keeping the quality of air in mind and that DMRC will be focusing on taken up signalling works, electrical works, and more that are non-polluting.

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Centre Prioritising Energy Security With Coal Gasification

Union minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy said the Centre is prioritising energy security through a strategic shift to coal gasification and has announced incentives totalling Rs 460 billion (bn) to support the effort. He said more than 35 companies will start coal gasification activities in India within two months and that the government is encouraging firms that bring technology to close the domestic technology gap. The minister described the initiative as aimed at reducing import dependence and developing indigenous capacity. India has the fifth-largest coal reserve in the world, and..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

BHEL and Coal India Invest Rs 250 bn in Odisha Gasification

Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) and Coal India (CIL) are jointly investing Rs 250 billion in a coal gasification project in Odisha, with the Prime Minister laying the foundation stone in Jharsuguda. Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy described the initiative as a transformative shift in coal utilisation that will open industrial avenues for the state. The project moves coal beyond conventional power generation to industrial feedstocks. Coal gasification will convert coal into synthesis gas, a versatile feedstock for chemicals, fertilisers and synthetic fuels, and the technology is ex..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

BCCL Hands Over Dugdha Coal Washery To JSW Steel

Bharat Coking Coal has handed over the Dugdha Coal Washery to JSW Steel, marking the first coal washery asset monetisation under the Ministry of Coal's asset monetisation programme. The handover took place in the presence of senior officials from Bharat Coking Coal Ltd, JSW Steel and JSW Energy. The washery has a capacity of two million tonnes per annum (mn t per annum), and its transfer is intended to introduce private sector practices into coal beneficiation operations. The monetisation is aimed at modernising coal sector assets, improving operational efficiency and enhancing resource utilis..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement