GRAP III norms vital but could delay projects, say realty developers

Developers say adhering to Graded Response Action Plan Phase III is crucial but argue construction is not a major pollution source and blanket bans disrupt timelines and affect workers' livelihoods

Compliance with Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) III norms is likely to delay construction timelines and impact deadlines of several realty projects in North India. This comes even as executives claim this to be an insignificant contributor to air pollution.

 

While developers have indicated support for the move, several fear that it can cause short-term timeline adjustments and affect workers. 

 

“We are fully committed to adhering to the GRAP norms in both letter and spirit. However, several studies have indicated that the construction sector is not among the biggest contributors to pollution,” Ashok Kapur, chairman at Krishna Group and Krisumi Corporation, said. 

 

He added that imposing a blanket ban disrupts construction timelines, ultimately affecting homebuyers and retail customers. 

 

Ashish Bhutani, chief executive officer (CEO), Bhutani Group, said that while adhering to these norms is necessary, the industry also needs practical flexibility to maintain project timelines.

 

“We believe that with supportive steps from authorities such as Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (Rera)-like granting reasonable extensions, developers can continue delivering quality projects without compromising on environmental commitments,” he said.

 

Pradeep Aggarwal, founder and chairman at National Capital Region (NCR)-based Signature Global said while temporary restrictions on construction may cause short-term adjustments, such measures are important for ensuring environmental sustainability and public well-being. 

 

Another developer said that there is an urgent need for all stakeholders to come together and work towards a more balanced and sustainable solution to this recurring challenge. 

 

“More importantly, it impacts the livelihoods of one of the most vulnerable sections of society, like the labour workforce,” Kapur added.

 

This comes after the capital’s air quality fell from ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’. This prompted the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to impose the third phase of the GRAP in Delhi-NCR. 

 

Under GRAP III, there is a complete ban on non-essential construction and demolition activities, which includes realty projects. 

 

Consequently, several realty players have started to adhere to all guidelines under GRAP III, with industry associations taking the lead in sharing instructions to all its members.

 

Commenting that the air quality situation in Delhi-NCR has reached a severe level, Dinesh Gupta, president, Credai’s Western UP division, said he has urged its members and developers to strictly follow pollution-control guidelines, including regular water sprinkling, covering construction sites and debris, minimising the use of diesel generators, and adopting eco-friendly energy sources.

 

“Our teams are ensuring full compliance at sites while continuing to adopt advanced dust-mitigation systems, covering of raw materials, and on-site greenery to minimise air pollution,” Aggarwal added.