Air quality worsens in Gurugram, ban on construction looms

Sanjay Yadav

Gurugram, October 2

As air quality continues to deteriorate in the Delhi-NCR region as farmers have started burning stubble, the Municipal Corporation has decided to implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the city from October 15.

This means ban on all construction activity across the NCR once the Air Quality Index (AQI) crosses the 500 mark (severe level). As of now, the use of diesel gensets will be banned in the first week after October 15.

The MC said the city had been recording an AQI between 51 and 100 (moderate level) these days, but the situation would worsen because of stubble-burning.

The decision left realtors rattled. They said they were already reeling under heavy losses because of the Covid-induced lockdown. The construction remained suspended from March-end, when the lockdown was imposed, till July.

When the construction resumed, realtors faced a massive labour crunch. Many projects were in operation with only 50 per cent labour strength.

“The real estate is ruined. We face the side-effects of stubble-burning. The authorities should exempt builders from the GRAP. We understand environment is important, but so is our livelihood,” said Pawan Rao, a local builder of new Gurugram.