DPCC removes key dust norms in shorter checklist for builders

Reduced from 27 to 12

- Aheli Das

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has reduced the number of self-compliance measures construction firms must follow to control dust pollution.

In a revised order issued on September 3, the list of compliances on DPCC's dust portal has been reduced to 12 from the earlier 27 — effectively removing or merging at least 14 checks.

Officials said the “rationalisation” was carried out to make reporting simpler, but a comparison of the old and new lists shows that several key requirements~ including some relating to worker safety and onsite pollution control -no longer figure.

AIR WE BREATHE

Among the points deleted are whether diesel generator (DG) sets are installed at construction sites, whether roads leading to sites are paved, and whether material mixing is carried out in enclosed areas. Further, questions asking whether workers were provided dust masks, or had access to immediate medical help for dust-related health issues, havealso been dropped entirely.