The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has issued show-cause notices to 251 construction sites in Noida for failing to register on the dust audit portal. This action, taken on October 20, demands environmental compensation exceeding ₹3.39 crore, highlighting the urgent need for accountability in the region’s construction practices.
Despite efforts to improve air quality, Noida’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remains in the ‘poor’ category, reported at 206 on Sunday—marginally better than Friday’s figure of 229. Ghaziabad, a neighbouring city, mirrors this trend, with an AQI of 253, showing only slight improvements from 243 the previous day. The sustained pollution levels underline the critical need for compliance with environmental regulations, especially in a densely populated area where construction activity is rampant. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had previously mandated that all under-construction sites with a plot area exceeding 500 square metres in the National Capital Region (NCR) undertake a ‘Self Audit: Dust Control Audit’ on the UPECP.IN portal. Utsav Sharma, a regional officer at UPPCB, indicated that inspections revealed many ongoing projects neglecting this requirement despite significant outreach initiatives. The Authority provided data on 350 such plots in Noida, yet only 91 complied with the registration mandate. Alarmingly, six of these plots were found to be under the minimum size threshold, with plot information missing for two others.
The failure to adhere to these regulations raises questions about the commitment to sustainable development within the construction sector. With the CAQM’s revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in effect, the imposition of fines aims to encourage compliance and uphold environmental integrity. This initiative not only seeks to curb dust emissions but also serves as a wake-up call for stakeholders to prioritise sustainable practices in construction. Furthermore, the Greater Noida pollution department recently recommended fines of ₹50,000 each for two projects violating GRAP guidelines, while a manufacturing unit in Ghaziabad faced similar penalties. These actions are not merely punitive; they represent a broader movement towards environmental stewardship in a region grappling with pollution-related health crises.
As community members become increasingly aware of the health implications tied to air quality, there is a growing sentiment that stricter regulations and enforcement are essential. The voices of residents resonate with a call for immediate action—highlighting the need for transparency, compliance, and a collective commitment to protecting their environment and health.
