Government to curb construction pollution

Kolkata: The Mamata Banerjee government is taking a slew of strict measures to prevent air pollution during construction activities. The Public Works Department (PWD) has enlisted a number of do’s and don’ts that have to be complied with while constructing roads or building projects to check pollution. The instructions have been issued to all superintending engineers and executive engineers involved in such construction work after the PWD department was prodded by the environment department in the wake of high pollution levels at various construction sites.

The joint secretary (projects & co ordination) of the PWD department’s 13-point directive states that the construction area or buildings have to be covered with geotextile fabric, installing dust barriers, or similar actions that are fit for the location. Also, water has to be applied to keep the soil damp or crusted for temporary stabilisation and also prior to levelling or other earth moving activity.

The vehicle speed at construction sites should not exceed 15 km per hour to prevent any fatal accident at such sites. The debris should be disposed in consultation with the local authorities following proper environmental practice. Concerned officials have been instructed to ensure that ambient sound levels do not exceed 65 decibel during such work, including cutting of marbles.

Practices such as speeding, keeping materials on roads or pavements, keeping materials under effective cover, leaving the soil, sand and cement stack uncovered, indiscriminate disposal of garbage etc have been prohibited. “There should be no burning of old tyres in a hot mix plant as a fuel during construction and repairing of the roads for melting coal tar,” a PWD engineer said. The PWD department will submit a consolidated report regarding compliance of the do’s and dont’s to the principal secretary of the environment department soon.