Ghaziabad: The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Associations of India (CREDAI) has written to the Centres pollution control panel on Wednesday urging it to lift the ban on construction work that was halted in Delhi-NCR after AQI dipped to severe (400+) levels in the first week of November.Manoj Gaur, the president of the real estate developers body, highlighted that for three days after Diwali air quality in NCR was below 400 (very poor).Since Monday, the AQIs in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad were between 320 and 375.The construction activities should be allowed to resume with all precautionary measures. The organised real estate sector follows all the guidelines, like installation of anti-smog guns at the worksite, covering construction materials during transportation, regular sprinkling of water, ensuring workers wear masks, etc to control the pollution, Gaur said.The restrictions — ban construction and demolition activities, including those on linear public projects like highways, roads, flyovers, pipelines and power lines, besides non-essential work — were implemented by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) as a part of stage III and IV of the Graded Response Action Plan.Till November 15, Greater Noida has recorded eight severe AQI days, followed by Noida with four and Ghaziabad with one. Delhi has seen six severe air days in the same period.We understand the importance of stringent measures to control air pollution, and we fully support the governments efforts in this regard. However, we would like to highlight the unintended consequences of the ban on construction on the livelihoods of workers. Currently, a significant number of them are sitting idle, and there is a concern that workers may return to their respective hometowns if the construction work does not resume soon, CREDAI-NCR secretary Gaurav Gupta said.We also published the following articles recentlyNoida air pollution: In Greater Noida West, dust along roads, construction despite banConstruction activities and dust accumulation are contributing to increased pollution levels in Greater Noida West, in addition to weather conditions and farm fires. While big developers comply with the construction ban to tackle winter pollution levels, small-scale construction continues. Residents are experiencing health problems such as sore throats, itching eyes, and breathing difficulties. Dust from construction sites and uncovered trucks carrying construction material contribute to the pollution. Garbage burning is also a factor. Lack of enforcement and road sweeping exacerbate the situation.Delhi Air Pollution: Construction ban to delay infra projectsThe ban on construction activities due to air pollution in Delhi is likely to cause delays in several public infrastructure projects. Around 30 projects of the Public Works Department, including flyovers, hospitals, and underpasses, are affected. Deadlines for completion of these projects, such as a flyover in Anand Vihar and Barapullah Phase II, have been extended to next year. The delays will result in continued traffic congestion and the unachieved target of signal-free connectivity between Mayur Vihar and south Delhi. Several hospital buildings, including Delhis tallest hospital, are also expected to be completed next year instead of this year.Noida AQI severe again, Greater Noida at severe-plusThe air quality in Noida, India slipped back into the severe category on Wednesday after a brief improvement. The city recorded an average air quality index (AQI) of 405, worse than the previous days 355. Greater Noida also continued to have severe air quality for the seventh consecutive day. Ghaziabad remained in the upper levels of the very poor category. The state government has suspended physical classes in schools and implemented measures to combat pollution, including a ban on construction activities and polluting vehicles. Residents blamed unchecked construction activities and industrial units for the worsening air quality.

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