Delhi Winter Pollution Plan Bans Construction from Dec 10

The Delhi government has announced measures to curb winter air pollution in the capital. This includes a complete ban on construction and demolition activities during the peak pollution period.

Real estate developers said pollution control steps are necessary. However, they called for a balanced, clearly defined approach with specific timelines and guidelines.

The construction curbs are part of a broader set of measures.

Other steps include restrictions on vehicles and private transport, stricter pollution-under-control certificate norms for fuel, and staggered office timings.

Construction Ban Timeline

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced the measures on September 28.

Dust-generating demolition and outdoor civil construction activities will be prohibited from November 1 to January 31.

A complete ban on construction and demolition will be imposed from December 10, 2026, to January 20, 2027.

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Wider Measures Announced

Parking charges will be doubled from November 1. Office timings will be staggered, and 50 percent work-from-home will be implemented.

Registered vehicles from outside Delhi with emission standards below BS-VI will be completely prohibited from entering the city from November 1. Electric vehicles will not face any additional parking charges, Sirsa said.

The measures were announced after an action-based planning meeting on reducing pollution in Delhi and the NCR.

The meeting was chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, PWD Minister Parvesh Verma and Sirsa were also in attendance.

Sirsa said on social media that providing clean air is the government's year-round responsibility, and that it is working continuously on pollution control.

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What Real Estate Developers Said

NAREDCO Delhi represents the real estate and allied industries. It said prolonged restrictions on construction could impact livelihoods, project timelines, and the broader real estate ecosystem.

Harsh Vardhan Bansal is President of NAREDCO Delhi. He said it is important to consider the concerns of stakeholders linked to construction and real estate.

This includes homebuyers, construction workers, wage earners, shopkeepers, contractors, and suppliers.

Bansal said prolonged restrictions could have a wider impact on livelihoods and project timelines.

He added that a balanced, well-defined approach with clear timelines is important. This would help meet environmental objectives without creating undue disruption for the sector.

He also said pollution-control measures should be applied uniformly across NCR projects, regardless of size, to deliver wider and meaningful benefits.

Developers said they remain committed to working with the government and complying with the prescribed norms as the winter restrictions take effect.

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