GRAP 3 enforced, but construction, large or small, doesn't stop in city

Gurgaon: GRAP 3 has come into effect in Delhi-NCR but one wouldn't know that in Gurgaon, where it's business as usual at most construction sites.

JCBs were rolling over expansive under-construction projects, throwing up clouds of dust, and trucks were carrying debris without covers.

Standard practices, which are mandatory with or without GRAP, such as insulation of construction sites with green sheets and sprinkling of water, were not being followed either.

In sectors 53 and 54, commercial complexes were being built. Construction work at two highrise project sites in sectors 85 and 90 was going on unrestricted.

Labourers employed at construction sites told TOI they weren't aware of any ban. "We work day in and out. Even today, we will work till 9pm. We are not aware of any ban. We were not informed," a construction worker at a site in Sector 90 said.

It wasn't any different at private compounds in sectors 28, 44 and 50.

Rather, it was easier to fly under the radar because there were no checks.

Residents on Friday complained of living in a dust bowl. "GRAP 3 has been implemented but I could hear the noise of hammers being used and other construction activities at a commercial complex being built adjacent to my house. The entire road is covered in construction dust. It is difficult to live with constant noise and dust," said Atul Bhatnagar, a resident of Park Drive, DLF-5.

Ravi Beri, who lives in Sector 51, said, "Construction activities are going on and no civic agencies are willing to monitor. We are constantly exposed to this, and it is damaging our health permanently."

The Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) imposed the third stage of Graded Action Response Force (GRAP) on Thursday as the concentration of pollutants rose rapidly due to weather conditions.

Under GRAP-3, all construction activities – except some public infrastructure and defence projects – must be halted till air quality improves and the order is withdrawn. Though CAQM issues the order to enforce GRAP, municipal authorities and state pollution control boards are responsible for monitoring and punishing violators.

Asked about ongoing construction, officials of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) said they have directed authorities to sprinkle water on roads to curb dust pollution.

"We have mandated appropriate measures, including water sprinkling on roads, and sent out notices to all departments to ensure compliance of GRAP 3 norms, including the ban on construction," said Vijay Choudhary, regional officer, HSPCB.

Choudhary added that four teams were carrying out inspections across the city.

"Today, no penalties were issued, but we have directed the discom to snap electricity supply to stone crushers and cement mixing plants. We will take action against construction projects that are flouting the norms," he added.

Gurgaon's 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) on Friday declined slightly to 304, from 321 the day before, but it remained ‘very poor'.

On Friday, experts said that though pollution was more visible due to meteorological conditions and the spike in stubble burning across farming states, levels were still high.

"It is important to note that even before this spike, pollution levels were already alarmingly high due to perennial sources. Air pollution in the region is not going to deteriorate on its own, things will not change till local pollution sources are cut radically," said Manoj Kumar, analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).