BHUBANESWAR: To combat air pollution, Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia announced on Tuesday that all construction activities in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack will be prohibited from 6 pm to 10 am.
The district collectors of Khurda and Cuttack have been tasked with enforcing this directive.
“All forms of construction work, whether private or government, are suspended in the twin cities during this timeframe. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the state Works Department have been notified,” he added.
The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) have taken measures to alleviate air pollution in the capital.
BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana stated, “Construction companies must transport materials with proper covering and maintain water sprinkling on their sites.”
“We’ve instructed builders to install paver blocks or create temporary roads. Violators will face suspension of their proposed building plans,” he warned.
The restrictions come after Bhubaneswar’s Air Quality Index (AQI) deteriorated to the “very poor” category.
Similar measures had previously been implemented in Talcher town in Angul district and Balasore town.
