Construction sector faces policy risks due to pollution: Study

With fast deteriorating air quality in big cities leading to tougher regulatory norms, the construction industry, along with the automobile sector, should be prepared to deal with possible public outrage and must devise ways for meeting such challenges, says a study.
"There are a number of environmental concerns related to the construction industry. These include erosion, contaminated soil, lead paint removal, air contamination by asbestos particles, disposal of hazardous material, dust control and noise level," according to the study conducted by industry body Assocham.
Mapping various policy and regulatory risks which have increased with rising environmental concerns, the paper stated these issues were also flagged by a working sub-group of the erstwhile Planning Commission.

"We have begun the exercise of sensitising various stakeholders in the construction industry since a perception is gaining ground that unplanned construction, done in a crude and unscientific way, is among the main culprits of pollution in big cities," Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat said.
The study highlighted that India is urbanised only to the extent of 31 per cent but urbanisation at a faster pace is imperative for a sustainable economic growth, adding that the construction industry has a major role in stepping up urban development.
"After an aborted attempt to smoothen land acquisition, any controversy on environment pollution is the last thing that the industry wants," Assocham said.

In the absence of planned and organised urban development, cities have witnessed mushrooming of slums which now account for a quarter of all urban housing. Growth of slums with lack of sanitation and absence of waste disposal add to the pollution, the chamber noted.
"Whether we like it or not, pollution in some of the big cities is becoming unbearable and as (has) happened in the past, the court intervention, accompanied by pressures from civil society, health activists and environmentalists would bring in tougher regulatory norms for a host of industries which should be living up to these challenges by technology innovation and going green in their approach," the chamber said.