Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday assured representatives of the construction industry that the government would work towards balancing pollution-control measures with the sector's need to sustain employment and development. The assurance came during a meeting with members of the Nirman Udyog Bachao Morcha and other construction sector representatives at her office.

The representatives discussed concerns over restrictions on construction and demolition activities imposed during periods of poor air quality under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). They also submitted suggestions aimed at ensuring that workers, contractors and other people dependent on the sector do not face severe livelihood disruptions because of environmental restrictions.

Gupta said both a clean environment and sustainable development were essential for Delhi and stressed the need for practical solutions. She noted that the government and industry would have to work together to make pollution-control measures effective while maintaining employment opportunities and the pace of development. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa was also present during the meeting.

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The meeting comes amid stronger enforcement of dust-control measures at construction and demolition sites across the National Capital Region. Earlier this month, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) expanded the powers of civic agencies and urban local bodies to enforce dust-mitigation requirements at construction sites measuring less than 500 square metres.

Under an amendment issued on August 4 to Statutory Direction No. 86, additional municipal corporations, development authorities, municipal councils, municipal boards and other urban local bodies in the NCR were empowered to initiate prosecution against gross violators. Authorities can also order closure of sites and impose or recover environmental compensation in cases of serious violations, including those covered under GRAP provisions for construction and demolition activities.

The CAQM has maintained that smaller construction sites can contribute significantly to particulate pollution, including PM10 and PM2.5, across the NCR. GRAP operates through four progressive stages based on Delhi's average Air Quality Index, with restrictions becoming stricter as pollution levels worsen. Against this backdrop, the Delhi government's engagement with construction representatives is aimed at addressing concerns over livelihoods while continuing efforts to control pollution.

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