GURUGRAM: GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) Stage 4 is currently active across the NCR, but enforcement appears lacking. Local authorities may announce crackdowns, yet Gurgaon streets resemble dust zones. “Dust is everywhere,” remarked Komal Yadav, a resident of Sushant Lok 1, as construction, road excavation, and debris dumping continue despite strict anti-pollution measures.
A recent check by TOI revealed ongoing construction and roadwork at various locations, including IFFCO Chowk, Sector 28, Sector 23, Palam Vihar, Sushant Lok 1, and Maruti Vihar.
Stage 4 of GRAP, implemented during severe air quality events, aims to restrict dust and emissions by enforcing strict rules on construction and related activities.
However, the reality in Gurgaon contrasts sharply, with residents noting a significant lack of visible enforcement, as air quality remains poor and dust pollution persists alongside heavy traffic.
In Maruti Vihar, community members reported ongoing work and rubble dumping, calling it a blatant breach of GRAP-4 restrictions. “If GRAP-4 is in place, why is construction still allowed? Dust coats the road, and children and seniors navigate through it,” complained Manoj Vashisht, a local.
Construction debris and loose soil are scattered across various roads, lacking proper dust-control measures like covering, barricading, or mechanical vacuum cleaning. At IFFCO Chowk, one of the city’s busiest intersections, ongoing work resulted in uneven surfaces and exposed soil, with vehicles stirring up dust throughout the day.
“This busy intersection is engulfed in dust because of the broken road and exposed soil. Everyone is inhaling it,” stated Ajay Singh, a daily commuter.
Similarly, in Sector 28 and Sushant Lok 1, roads were found torn up, with construction materials and waste encroaching on lanes, forcing drivers to navigate over loose debris. “The lane has narrowed due to construction materials piled on the roadside, causing dust to rise as cars pass close to the rubble,” said Rahul Mehta, a Sector 28 resident.
In Sushant Lok 1, residents have expressed concern over prolonged digging without oversight. “They’ve left patches open after digging, with no covering or dust control, and no water sprinkling,” noted Komal Yadav.
Officials from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) emphasize that construction dust and resuspended road dust are significant contributors to pollution during NCR winters, especially when low winds and temperature inversions trap pollutants near the ground. They warn that activities like road cutting and debris dumping during such adverse conditions can significantly deteriorate local air quality.
An HSPCB representative remarked, “Civic agencies have been instructed to enforce action against any violations.”
Residents in Sector 23 and Palam Vihar noted the presence of construction waste along internal roads and intersections, labeling it as a “normal” occurrence since January. “Debris sits by corners and intersections for days without being cleared,” shared Panjak Kapur, a Sector 23 local.
In Palam Vihar, residents find themselves navigating around piles of debris on residential streets. “Even internal roads are dusty now; vehicles stir up dust because waste is lying around, unremoved,” he added.
Shubham Khatana, a Sushant Lok 1 resident, pointed out that while GRAP appears stringent in theory, little changes in practice. “Dust and digging continue unabated. If GRAP-4 is supposed to be enforced, why are construction activities ongoing without proper oversight?” he questioned.
