DPCC asked Construction firms to register on portal

As updated GRAP will come into force from October 1, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has asked the construction companies to ensure that they register on the designated web portal else their activities will not be allowed.While re-iterating the 14-point dust mitigation measures which must be taken by all the project proponents, contractors, builders, persons, or authorities undertaking construction/demolition activity in Delhi, DPCC has also issued a 27-point checklist which every project over 500sqmtr will have to adhere to in a bid to cut down dust pollution.

The committee has “developed an online mechanism through a Web Portal called “Dust Pollution Control Self-Assessment” at http://dustcontroldpcc(dot)delhi(dot)gov(dot)in for self-assessment by construction agencies with respect to dust pollution in their sites in pursuance of directions dated 11.06.2021 by Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas,” stated DPCC in a booklet issued recently.

The registrations help with proper monitoring and assessment of dust control measures at the construction sites.

DPCC stated that the project proponents are required to carry out self-audit/self-determination for dust control measures on the parameters provided on the portal and upload a self-declaration on a fortnightly basis.

“The provision of video fencing with remote connectivity of the projects (within the municipal area of NCR and plot area equal to or greater than 500sq.m) is part of portal…Reliable low cost PM2.5 and PM10 sensors are to be installed at the project site and linked to a cloud storage platform with a live dashboard on the Web portal,” it stated.

The 14-point guidelines include measures such as installing dust/wind breaking walls of appropriate height around the periphery of construction site, installation of smog-gun at sites, covering the construction materials and vehicles carrying such material, sprinkling water on unpaved road to supress dust, among others.

Under the revised Graded Response Action Plan, the implementation of the dust mitigation measures comes into action at Stage-1 once the Air Quality Index of Delhi touches 201 or surpasses the mark.