SC Re-impose the construction ban in Delhi and NCR to prevent pollution

Non-pollution activities relating to construction are allowed to be continued

New Delhi: Delhi is getting worsen day by day due to an increase in pollution rates. The Supreme Court (SC) has re-imposed the ban on construction activities in Delhi and the national capital region (NCR) and directed the states to provide subsistence to workers from the funds collected as labour cess for the period during which such activities are not allowed.

According to the Special bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana said that,  in an interim order uploaded Wednesday night, also directed the Commission for Air Quality Management in the NCR and Adjoining Areas to "commission a scientific study of air quality based on available data of previous years bearing upon recorded levels of air pollution".

The SC Bench also added that "We direct that instead of waiting for the air quality to decline before initiating action under the graded response plan, basic measures must be put into place in anticipation of deterioration of air quality. For this purpose, the commission must engage expert agencies with domain knowledge in meteorological data and statistical modelling."

The Special bench also had justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant involvement.

"In the meantime, as an interim measure and until further orders, we re-impose the ban on construction activities in the NCR subject to the following two conditions: Non-polluting activities relating to construction such as plumbing work, interior decoration, electrical work and carpentry are allowed to be continued," the bench added.

The SC also focused on the wages of the labours. "The states shall use the funds which have been collected as labour cess for the welfare of construction workers to provide them subsistence for the period during which construction activities are prohibited and pay wages notified under the Minimum Wages Act for the respective categories of workers," the order said.

The bench said as of now, the action is proposed after air quality has deteriorated and directed the commission to take preventive advance measures to deal with the rise in air pollution.