268 construction sites under scanner for failing to install pollution sensors

The state environment department issued show-cause notices to operators of 268 construction and demolition sites across the Capital for failing to install real-time air quality monitors, warning of shutting them down and levying environmental compensation if the needful is not done by the month-end. Under the Graded Response Action Plan Stage 2—currently in place in Delhi since October 22—all C&D sites having an area of 500 square metre and above are to share real-time pollution data with the government. Officials said dust from C&D sites and roads was a key reason behind high PM10 levels in winter. Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at environmental think-tank Envirocatalysts said tackling each source of pollution was important, adding registration with the government will mean nothing if there is lack of transparency.