As winter draws closer and concerns about air quality intensify, the real estate industry is seeking a balanced solution to the seasonal bans on construction activities, which are triggered under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR.
While reducing pollution is crucial, the real estate sector, a key driver of India’s economic growth and a significant employer, is urging authorities to consider selective exemptions for non-polluting construction work, to prevent undue disruption to livelihoods and project timelines.
Over the last year, the industry has had to endure over 73 days of construction bans, significantly affecting project completion and the livelihoods of labourers employed on-site. What is often ignored is the ripple effect these bans have: when work halts, thousands of labourers migrate back to their hometowns, causing further delays that extend well beyond the ban period itself. In fact, for each day of halted work, it takes at least three days for operations to return to normal, leading to a cumulative delay of nearly seven months across the year.
Rajesh, a construction worker, shared “When the construction work stops, we have no choice but to leave the city and return to our village. It’s difficult for us to survive without daily wages, and the uncertainty of when work will resume makes it even harder. If non-polluting work could continue, we wouldn’t lose so many days of income.”
Though GRAP allows certain non-polluting activities like electrical, plumbing, and carpentry works to continue, these activities are often indirectly impacted due to dependencies on banned activities like welding or painting. For instance, while electrical works are permitted, they cannot be fully executed without accompanying works that fall under the ban, leaving only 20-30 per cent of tasks completed.
The industry argues that specific construction activities such as HVAC installation, metal cladding, duct fabrication, and formwork, which do not contribute to dust or pollution, should be reconsidered for exemption. These processes, largely involving pre-fabricated materials or manual assembly, pose no risk of aggravating air quality issues.
Real estate developer Ajeet Kapoor opined “We fully support the government’s efforts to curb pollution, but there needs to be a practical approach. Many construction activities, such as electrical work or duct installation, don’t contribute to air pollution. Allowing such activities to proceed would not only keep the projects on track but also ensure that thousands of workers can continue to earn their livelihoods.”
The real estate industry employs a large number of unskilled labourers, many of whom rely on continuous employment at construction sites. Every time work is halted, these workers face uncertainty, leading to a mass exodus from urban areas. This exodus not only affects the project timelines but also exacerbates economic strain on an already vulnerable workforce. The financial impact on developers is also significant, as they face mounting interest on loans and delays in delivery, which are ultimately passed on to homebuyers.
“I support my family with the money I earn from construction work. Every time the work stops, it puts us in a tough spot. I wish the authorities would allow some activities to continue, so we don’t have to worry about how we’ll manage in the coming weeks,” said Sunita Devi, a construction helper.
The industry contributes approximately 7.3% to India’s GDP, and with the festive season—a key sales period for real estate—on the horizon, the impact of delays could be far-reaching. As India continues its push toward urban development and housing for all, the ability to meet these ambitious targets hinges on minimizing such disruptions.
The real estate sector remains committed to working alongside the government to ensure cleaner air and healthier cities. However, a more pragmatic approach—one that differentiates between polluting and non-polluting activities—would allow essential construction work to continue, safeguarding jobs and ensuring timely project delivery.
As winter approaches, the industry calls for a re-evaluation of GRAP guidelines to allow for non-polluting construction activities, ensuring that both environmental goals and economic stability can be achieved in tandem.
