Bhubaneswar: In a bid to tackle worsening air quality, the state government on Tuesday announced a temporary ban on all construction activities in the twin cities (Bhubaneswar and Cuttack) of Odisha.
Forest, Environment & Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia said the ban will be in effect from 6 pm to 10 am for both private and government construction projects.
“The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the State Works Department have been informed,” he added.
The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) have also stepped up measures to control air pollution. Builders have been instructed to transport construction materials with proper covering and sprinkle water continuously at their sites. Temporary roads or paver blocks have been recommended to reduce dust.
BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana warned that violators of the guidelines would face suspension of their building plans.
“We are taking strict action to ensure that construction does not worsen air quality in the state capital,” she said.
The restrictions were imposed after the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) slipped into the “very poor” category. Similar measures had been implemented earlier in Talcher town in Angul district and in Balasore.
