No Respite to Developers from Delhi NCR Construction Ban

The Supreme Court refused to accord urgent hearing to a plea by builders' body seeking vacation of November 24 order by which the ban on construction activities in Delhi and national capital region (NCR) was re-imposed to contain the spike in air pollution. Taking note of worsening air quality, the bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana had reversed the decision of the executive to allow construction activities from November 22 and had re-imposed the ban. It, however, had permitted non-polluting activities relating to construction such as plumbing work, interior decoration, electrical work and carpentry. The plea filed by the Developers and Builders Forum, a body of more than 60 builders, contended that they use the latest construction technology so as to reduce dust pollution and adhere to the laid-down norms. "It is most respectfully submitted that the above direction imposing a blanket ban ought to be re-visited by this court in view of the relevant data and statistics. That the direction is issued without taking the views of all stakeholders and without differentiating between construction activities of various nature. "It is submitted that the present blanket ban on all construction activities takes within its sweep even small constructions of residential and other units, which can in no manner be said to be causing large-scale pollution," the plea said.