By Gargi Shukla and Aaditya Khatwani

Delhi is once again grappling with severe dust pollution, with visible clouds of fine particulate matter blanketing markets, roads, and residential areas, despite the government’s winter action plan aimed at curbing air pollution. An HT spot check across the national capital has revealed widespread violations of dust control and construction and demolition (C&D) waste management regulations, highlighting a persistent gap between policy and ground reality.

The Delhi government’s winter action plan mandates strict adherence to 12-point dust-control norms, which include covering construction materials, installing green net scaffolding at project sites, regular sprinkling of water on unpaved surfaces, and functional anti-smog guns at larger construction sites. Construction vehicles are also required to be fully covered, and material must not be stored on roads or pavements. Additionally, larger projects must register with authorities, and water sprinklers have been deployed citywide to mitigate airborne dust.

Despite these measures, the HT spot check spanning areas from Sarojini Nagar, Ashram, Ghanta Ghar, Paschim Vihar, New Delhi, Preet Vihar, Laxmi Nagar, Trilokpuri, to Geeta Colony found that these rules were being openly disregarded. Dust, often suspended in the air around construction zones, coated trees, shop displays, and vehicles, while anti-smog guns meant to contain pollution were reportedly non-operational in several locations.

Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) has ranged from ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ since Diwali, with PM10 and PM2.5 particlesbeing the chief pollutants. While a temporary improvement was recorded on Wednesday due to higher wind speeds — with the 24-hour average AQI dropping from 202 (poor) to 197 (moderate) by evening — analysis of CPCB data suggests that gaps in monitoring and calculation methods may not fully reflect the severity on the ground. Forecasts from the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) indicate that air quality could revert to ‘very poor’ by Thursday. Prolonged exposure to such dust poses serious health risks, as fine particles can lodge deep in the lungs, causing both short- and long-term respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

Violations and impact on residents

In Sarojini Nagar, a busy commercial hub surrounded by construction projects, HT found thick layers of dust covering merchandise and shop fronts. Workers at the nearby sites said anti-smog guns had not been used for several days. “The water sprinkler trucks take several rounds here throughout the day, but the relief is momentary,” said a 52-year-old construction worker, who reported persistent cough and cold since joining the site three months ago.

Shopkeepers confirmed the toll of dust on daily life and business operations. Ashok Randhawa, head of the Sarojini Nagar mini market association, explained, “Scindia Road, Brigadier Hoshiyar Singh Marg, and Vinayak Mandir Marg are completely covered in dust. We constantly have to clean our displays and wear handkerchiefs to reduce inhalation.” The NBCC, responsible for the Sarojini Nagar redevelopment project, countered these claims, stating that anti-pollution measures were operational and conducted multiple times daily.

Similar concerns were raised near central Delhi’s Ghanta Ghar Chowk, where a metro construction site has only six-foot wind-breaker barriers, insufficient to contain airborne dust from heavy machinery like cement rollers. Shopkeeper Deepak, 42, said, “Everyone coming to the shop has a severe cough. We have never seen water sprinkling around the site, even though it is mandatory. Complaints have been ignored since 2021 when the work began.”

Open dumping of construction and demolition waste

HT’s investigation also found widespread open dumping of C&D waste across major roads in east and central Delhi. Mounds of debris were seen lining KN Katju Marg, Vikas Marg, Preet Vihar, Trilokpuri, and near Sanjay Lake metro station, obstructing pavements and contributing to airborne dust as heavy traffic churned up particles. A municipal worker noted that while waste is usually cleared, private builders often dump fresh material during the night, compounding the problem.

In Paschim Vihar, mandatory green nets were absent, and construction materials were left uncovered. Though the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) denied these allegations, claiming that preventive measures were in place, residents reported persistent dust and related health issues. Gaurav Kumar, 30, a local shop owner, said, “Construction produces a huge amount of dust, and due to traffic, even staying in the area causes burning eyes and cough.”

Expert concerns and health implications

Experts highlight the growing contribution of construction activities to Delhi’s winter pollution. Dipanker Saha, former head of CPCB’s air laboratory, stated, “C&D waste management is increasingly crucial due to rapid urbanization and infrastructure development. Even small construction sites can have a large zone of influence, impacting public health significantly. Around 40% of winter pollution can come from such activities.” He urged stricter compliance, prefabrication of slabs, and use of VOC-free paints to reduce dust emissions.

The government claims it is taking steps to control dust and pollution. The MCD stated that monitoring of registered sites has been stepped up, and 106 designated dumping sites have been set up for safe disposal of C&D waste. However, HT’s spot checks suggest that enforcement remains inconsistent, and many norms are routinely violated.

The road ahead

As Delhi enters the peak winter months, dust pollution from construction and demolition remains a pressing concern. The failure to enforce existing norms not only undermines government initiatives but also poses immediate health risks to residents and workers across the city. Experts stress that beyond regulatory compliance, greater coordination between civic authorities, builders, and local communities is essential to mitigate pollution, protect public health, and ensure that winter action plans achieve meaningful results on the ground.

Without stronger enforcement, accountability, and public monitoring, the capital may continue to struggle with high levels of airborne dust, affecting millions of residents and compromising the city’s fight against winter air pollution.