Developers and experts said the ban will also impact builders and homebuyers, as a one-month ban delays a project by at least two to three months.
With the CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) banning construction under stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as the NCR's air quality deteriorated to the 'severe plus' level, developers said that this would delay housing and commercial projects and affect the livelihood of construction workers.
GRAP IV is invoked when the air quality index (AQI) exceeds 450. This stage includes a complete ban on all types of construction and demolition activities in the National Capital Region (NCR), along with closure of schools and restrictions on the movement of vehicles. Delhi's AQI stood at 485 at 8 am on November 18, 2024, and deteriorated to 490 at 1 pm.
The GRAP action depends on four stages of pollution: Stage I — 'poor' (AQI 201-300); Stage II — 'very poor' (AQI 301-400); Stage III — 'severe' (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV — 'severe plus' (AQI above 450).
Developers and experts said the ban will delay delivery of projects and impact both builders as well as homebuyers, as a one-month ban on construction can delay a project by two to three months because labourers move on to other jobs or even to their hometowns. They said that authorities should adopt a case-by-case approach when implementing air pollution regulations, and control vehicular emissions and roadside dust, which are the main sources of pollution.
The key restrictions under GRAP IV include suspension of construction and demolition work for housing, commercial, and infrastructure projects like roads, highways, flyovers, pipelines, power lines, etc.
Delhi-registered heavy and medium diesel goods vehicles that aren't BS IV compliant are also banned from plying, and schools are closed.
Non-Delhi registered light commercial vehicles are barred from entering the city, except electric, CNG, BS-VI compliant diesel vehicles, or those providing essential goods and services.