NEW DELHI: The government of Delhi has levied fines amounting to Rs 2.36 crore, issued over 200 show-cause notices, and ordered the closure of 48 construction sites for breaching dust-control regulations in the last month.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa stated that this decisive action, supported by real-time monitoring and ongoing inspections, illustrates the government’s commitment to tackling pollution through “measurable, science-based enforcement instead of empty promises,” according to an official statement.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has ramped up its anti-dust campaign since October 15, inspecting 1,262 construction sites exceeding 500 sqm.
In a move to enhance oversight, a total of 747 construction projects are now registered on the DPCC’s Dust Pollution Control Self-Assessment Portal, which features real-time video monitoring, PM2.5 and PM10 sensors, and public display boards indicating compliance status.
Sirsa affirmed the government’s “determination to achieve tangible results on the ground” through rigorous inspections, enforcement, and collaboration across agencies.
Out of the inspected sites, over 200 were issued show-cause notices, 48 were shuttered, and 35 were penalized, leading to fines exceeding Rs 2.36 crore for infractions against dust-control standards.
In addition to registered construction areas, DPCC teams are actively monitoring Delhi neighborhoods to identify unregistered or illegal construction. Of the 4,881 localities assessed, officials surveyed 467 and flagged 33 violations for prompt action.
The minister noted that remote oversight guarantees “every project remains under continuous scrutiny throughout the day.”
The DPCC is also conducting thorough checks on diesel generator (DG) sets, enforcing the installation of retrofit emission-control devices, and encouraging polluting industries to switch to piped natural gas (PNG) in line with directives from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
A citywide virtual training session for officials overseeing registered construction projects took place on November 17, with coordination efforts strengthened with agencies such as MCD, NDMC, PWD, CPWD, DDA, DMRC, and DJB.
As per the statement, Sirsa personally reviewed dust mitigation efforts in Palam, Dwarka, and Mahipalpur, areas known for high dust concentration due to construction, traffic, and waste accumulation.
He directed officials to ensure effective barricading, anti-dust netting, treated-water sprinkling, debris removal, and adherence to construction regulations on stretches undergoing road repairs and footpath reconstruction.
Currently, over 1,800 enforcement personnel and 35 dedicated DPCC teams are deployed throughout the city.
Dust suppression and sweeping operations have been intensified in 62 identified traffic hotspots, and Sirsa instructed agencies to ensure timely water sprinkling, strict compliance with construction standards, and immediate corrective actions based on daily inspection reports.
