Gurgaon: Police have warned construction contractors, office managements and individuals of legal action if they violate anti-pollution restrictions in force across the city from Nov 5 to 20.The police have been directed to assist enforcement agencies in checking violations, with action possible under Section 14 of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Act, 2021, under which non-compliance can attract fines and imprisonment.The restrictions include a ban on dust-generating construction and demolition activities and a cap of 50% on physical attendance in govt and private offices. The remaining employees are required to work from home. Industrial establishments and essential services where this arrangement is not feasible are exempt from the attendance requirement.The district administration has assigned enforcement duties to multiple departments. Sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) and regional officers of Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) have been directed to conduct daily inspections, with the police commissioner asked to provide necessary assistance.Officials have also been asked to submit daily action-taken reports detailing inspections, violations detected and action taken. These reports must reach HSPCB regional officers by 5pm, after which a consolidated report will be sent to Gurgaon’s additional deputy commissioner.The construction ban covers dust-generating activities related to road projects, flyovers, overbridges, pipelines and other linear infrastructure works. Railway and metro services, airports, hospitals, water supply and sanitation works, defence and national security activities, and projects of national importance are exempt, subject to prescribed dust-control norms.“We appeal to residents, contractors and establishments to comply with the restrictions and cooperate with the departments conducting inspections. Violations will invite action under applicable legal provisions,” Sandeep Turan, police spokesperson, said.
