The Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration has directed officials to strictly enforce the ban on construction and demolition activities across the district following the implementation of Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-3) in Delhi-NCR. The decision comes amid deteriorating air quality in Noida and Greater Noida, with authorities warning of action against developers, contractors and other establishments found violating the restrictions.
District Magistrate Medha Roopam issued the directions during a virtual review meeting convened to assess the implementation of GRAP-3 measures. The meeting reviewed the preparedness of various government departments and their enforcement activities following the Commission for Air Quality Management’s (CAQM) decision to invoke Stage III of the pollution control plan across the National Capital Region.
According to a statement released by the district administration, the District Magistrate instructed all concerned departments to ensure compliance with the complete ban on construction and demolition activities. She also directed officials to initiate action in accordance with applicable rules against those found violating the restrictions.
The administration has emphasised that the construction ban must be implemented strictly across Gautam Buddh Nagar, which includes Noida and Greater Noida. Officials have been asked to coordinate with relevant departments to prevent unauthorised construction and demolition activities during the period of GRAP-3 restrictions.
Regular Inspections to Monitor Construction Sites
To ensure effective implementation, the District Magistrate directed departments to conduct regular inspections and monitoring across the district. Officials have been instructed to remain vigilant and take necessary enforcement measures wherever violations are identified.
The review meeting was attended by representatives from several government departments and development authorities responsible for pollution control, infrastructure and urban administration. These included officials from the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, Noida Authority, Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority and Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority.
Representatives from the Gautam Buddh Nagar transport department and sub-divisional magistrates of Sadar, Dadri and Jewar also participated in the meeting.
The involvement of multiple departments is intended to strengthen coordination and ensure that GRAP-3 restrictions are followed across different parts of the district. The administration has asked the concerned authorities to maintain regular surveillance and take action against construction and demolition activities carried out in violation of the prescribed restrictions.
Noida AQI Reaches Very Poor Category
The enforcement measures come as air quality in Noida continues to deteriorate. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data updated at 4 pm on Thursday, based on the average air quality over the preceding 24 hours, Noida recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 311, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category.
Greater Noida recorded an AQI of 288, which falls under the ‘poor’ category. Real-time monitoring data during the day also indicated that pollution levels at certain monitoring locations in Noida had risen considerably, with AQI readings crossing 300 during the 24 hours leading up to Thursday evening.
The rising pollution levels have increased the need for enforcement of restrictions covering construction activities, demolition work and other sources of dust emissions.
GRAP-3 Measures Across Delhi-NCR
The Commission for Air Quality Management invoked Stage III of GRAP in response to worsening air quality across Delhi-NCR. Under this stage, construction and demolition activities are subject to stringent restrictions, with the objective of reducing dust pollution and limiting emissions from various sources.
For the real estate and construction sectors, the restrictions mean that ongoing construction and demolition operations covered by the ban must remain suspended until the applicable restrictions are lifted. Developers, contractors and project operators are required to follow the directions issued by the authorities.
The Gautam Buddh Nagar administration’s latest instructions underline its focus on ground-level monitoring and enforcement. With Noida recording an AQI of 311 and Greater Noida reporting 288, the district authorities have directed all concerned departments to maintain strict vigilance and take action against violations to support efforts to control air pollution across the region.
