Delhi has recently witnessed a decline in air quality, now rated at GRAP-3. In response to the worsening situation, all non-essential construction and demolition activities have been halted across the capital. Furthermore, older vehicles meeting the BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel standards are currently restricted. This article explores the ramifications of these changes on project timelines in Delhi NCR.
On January 14, the Central Government issued an order prohibiting non-essential construction activities in the Delhi-NCR region. As pollution levels escalated, the operation of vehicles categorized as BS-3 gasoline and BS-4 diesel has been suspended. The aim is to mitigate the adverse impacts of pollution, particularly on the construction sector.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) recorded alarming readings of 458 and 457 at 10 AM and 11 AM, respectively, indicating a drastic rise in Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI). This led to the enforcement of this crucial policy to tackle the 'severe' air quality status. Tasked with formulating and executing measures to combat air pollution, the CAQM has activated Stage-3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to confront the current crisis.
Understanding the Stages of GRAP
GRAP delineates a framework used in the Delhi-NCR to monitor air quality, normally categorized into four key stages based on persistent AQI levels.
Stages of the Graded Response Action Plan:
| AQI | Zone | Stages of GRAP |
|---|---|---|
| 201-300 | Poor | Stage 1 |
| 301-400 | Very Poor | Stage 2 |
| 401-450 | Severe | Stage 3 |
| 451 and above | Severe plus | Stage 4 |
Every winter, millions are affected as a dense, unhealthy smog envelops Delhi NCR. Despite ongoing clean-up efforts, AQI levels often soar above the safe threshold, which is alarming since any AQI level exceeding 60 is deemed hazardous to health.
Details of GRAP-3 Restrictions
The CAQM oversees the enforcement of Stage-3 GRAP, which imposes stringent regulations that include prohibitions on various activities:
- Earthmoving actions like drilling, boring, filling, and excavation.
- Structural tasks ranging from fabrication to demolition.
- Movement of construction materials, including loading and unloading.
- Transportation of raw materials, particularly fly ash.
- Use of unpaved surfaces for vehicle movement.
- Flooring projects inclusive of waterlines and sewer installations.
- Flooring endeavors utilizing stones, tiles, etc.
Nevertheless, projects associated with railways, metro systems, national security, and defense are exempt from this prohibition.
Impact of Construction Ban on Delhi NCR's Real Estate
In regions of Delhi NCR—including Greater Noida West, Yamuna Expressway, New Gurgaon, Noida Expressway, Dwarka Expressway, Central Noida, Greater Faridabad, Raj Nagar Extension in Ghaziabad, Sohna Road, and Golf Course Extension Road—over 450,000 residential units are currently under construction, with total units surpassing 400,000.
According to industry analyses, typical timelines for completing residential projects in Delhi NCR range from 6 to 8 years. A construction halt prompted by air pollution could pose significant challenges and prevent timely project completions. Experts caution that strict measures restricting construction due to deteriorating air quality may lead to detrimental effects in the real estate sector.