NGT questions Delhi's LG's decision to lift construction ban

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday questioned Delhi's Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung's decision to lift the ban on construction activities in the city.

It also asked the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and the Delhi government to clarify their stands on waste burning and its management.

On Tuesday, After the Delhi Pollution Control Committee recorded a 1/3rd fall in particulate matter (PM) 10 levels and 1/4th fall in PM 2.5 levels, Lt. Governor Jung lifted the ban imposed on construction and demolition activities in the city.

"In view of the loss of income to daily wage labourers and the labouring class, ban on construction/ demolition to be lifted forthwith," said the Raj Bhawan in a statement. However, it was directed that DPCC guidelines for minimizing dust at construction sites be strictly adhered to.

Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) informed Jung that following his order, construction work was stopped at 539 sites and 29 cases were registered by the department.

Over Rs. 1.5 crores in revenue has been generated from violators of the ban in the last week.

On November 7, Jung had held an emergency review meet after air quality in the national capital touched an alarming 999 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter in some areaa, which is more than 15-16 times the limit considered safe.