Air clean, NGT lifts ban on construction

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday lifted its prohibition on construction activity in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) in light of improved air quality. In an order passed last week, the NGT had put a restriction on all construction activity in Delhi-NCR and transportation of construction material as dust is one of the biggest sources of air pollution in the city.

The Tribunal though, directed Delhi and neighbouring states to prepare an action plan within two weeks to control air pollution and prepare for times when the pollution levels rise above very poor levels.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar was hearing the plea on air pollution filed by advocate Vardhaman Kaushik.

"While preparing the action plan, all the prior judgments, directions, existing action plans must be taken into consideration and the action plan should be directly relatable to the pollution standards and will automatically come into play the moment the prescribed parameter is touched," the bench said.

It added that failure to file the action plan will attract exemplary costs that would be recovered from the senior most concerned officers. "All the state governments, pollution control boards, Central Pollution Control Board and NCT Delhi should have complete preparedness for the coming challenge when the parameter of ambient air quality is severe or hazardous," the bench added.

The Tribunal also clarified that since the Delhi administration had lifted restrictions on entry of diesel-fuelled trucks into Delhi, it will not interfere in it but ordered strict regulations. Further, it said that all other directions in relation to emissions from industries, burning of wastes, burning of crop residue and emissions from vehicles shall however continue to be in force on the basis of precautionary principle.