Construction activities banned till further orders in Delhi

Delhi Environment Minister, Gopal Rai told the media that the ban on construction and the entry of trucks, blocking CNG, e-trucks and those employed in vital services, will continue till further orders because of a forecast regarding the further decline of air quality in Delhi.

The government will reconsider the ban on construction activities, Gopal Rai told the media after a meeting with authorities of departments concerned. The minister said that the education department sent an offer to the environment department, asking for immediate reopening of schools and coaching classes for students in Class 6 and above and in colleges.

For children of Class 5 and below, the education department has proposed reopening schools from December 20. The proposal would be sent to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which has been directed by the Supreme Court to decide on the reopening of schools and colleges. He told the media that many agencies have verbally requested to remove the ban on construction and demolition activities. They have directed the agencies to write an application to them and the CAQM. They will hold a review meeting concerning this. The minister said that Delhi's air quality index remained between 250 and 325 from December 1 to December 12. But experts have predicted a slight decline in air quality in the coming three days.

The water sprinkling drive to prevent dust pollution will continue, and essential directions have been given to the fire department, civic bodies and other departments. Under the anti-dust campaign, 6,953 sites have been reviewed, and fines of Rs 1.65 crore have been inflicted for infringements at 597 sites. Under the anti-burning campaign, 16,580 areas have been reviewed, and a cumulative fine of Rs 46 lakh has been inflicted for violations at 2,490 locations. The environment department has obtained 6,975 pollution-related complaints on the Green Delhi application since October, of which 81% have been settled.

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