Gurugram will suspend dust-generating construction and demolition work from November 5 to 20 after the city recorded its first “very poor” air quality reading of the season, with the district AQI reaching 319, according to an order issued by Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh.
The 16-day restriction will cover construction and demolition activity linked to highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, pipelines and other public infrastructure projects across Gurugram. Industrial units and essential services have been exempted from the restrictions.
The order, issued in compliance with directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management, also exempts projects connected with railways, metro systems, airports, hospitals, water supply, sanitation and national security. The exemptions mean that several essential and strategic infrastructure activities can continue even while other dust-generating work remains suspended.
Alongside the construction restrictions, the administration has directed Haryana government offices and private offices to limit attendance to a maximum of 50 per cent of their workforce. The remaining employees have been asked to work from home. Industrial units and essential services where remote working is not feasible have been excluded from this office-attendance requirement.
The measures come as pollution levels worsened across the city’s monitoring network. The Teri Gram monitoring station recorded the highest AQI at 355, followed by Gwal Pahari at 340 and Sector 51 at 322. Vikas Sadan recorded an AQI of 257. Three of Gurugram’s four monitoring stations reported air quality in the “very poor” category, according to the report.
The AQI reading of 319 represents the first time this season that Gurugram’s overall air quality has entered the “very poor” category. Under the restrictions, construction and demolition activities that release dust will remain subject to the temporary ban through November 20.
The administration has assigned sub-divisional magistrates and officials from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board to conduct daily inspections and monitor compliance. Violations will invite action under the Commission for Air Quality Management Act, 2021.
The order places Gurugram’s construction sector and office-based employers under different forms of temporary curbs while retaining exemptions for essential infrastructure and services. The restrictions will remain in force for 16 days, with enforcement inspections continuing during the period.
