Delhi Government Announces a Complete Ban on Construction Activities from December 10 to January 20 to Curb Winter Pollution

The Delhi government has announced a total prohibition on construction activities across the national capital from December 10 to January 20 as part of its winter anti-pollution drive. This mandatory restriction has been incorporated into the state’s Winter Pollution Master Plan to prevent dust emissions and protect public health during the peak winter months, when cold weather and stagnant winds trap harmful particulate matter over the city.
To enforce the ban effectively, the administration is deploying advanced digital surveillance across the capital. Construction sites covering more than 500 square metres will be monitored in real time through the upgraded Dust Portal 2.0 and artificial intelligence-enabled 360-degree cameras. Developed by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), the surveillance network tracks air quality sensors (PM10 and PM2.5) and immediately routes alerts to a centralized command and control centre to issue digital compliance notices and heavy financial penalties against violators.
The fixed blanket ban will remain in force irrespective of daily Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) stages. Authorities emphasized that during previous winter seasons, several developers continued unauthorized construction work behind protective green covers to bypass restrictions. Alongside this construction halt, all dust-generating demolition activities will remain strictly prohibited from November 1 to January 31, with the government calling upon residents to actively report any illegal construction directly to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and local representatives to ensure clean air enforcement.