Dust emanating from uncovered under-construction buildings in several towns and urban pockets of Kangra district has become a major environmental and public health safety hazard. Pollution control norms are being blatantly violated in these under-construction buildings despite repeated warnings from the regulatory authorities. These construction sites are not covered, as mandated by the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPPCB), leading to large-scale dust pollution, deteriorating air quality and growing public resentment.
The situation is particularly grave in Baijnath, Maranda, Bir-Billing and the upper areas of Palampur city where a number of buildings, including shopping malls, hotels and other commercial complexes, are under construction. Most of these construction sites have not been covered in violation of the norms laid down by the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPPCB).
Most of these sites fall under the jurisdiction of the Palampur Municipal Corporation and nearby municipal councils. Alarmingly, not only private builders but also government departments are flouting the directions of the Pollution Control Board, pointing towards serious lapses in enforcement.
Gopal Nag, Mayor of the Palampur Municipal Corporation, says that the issue has been brought to his notice. He adds that notices will be issued to both private and government builders within a day and strict penalties will be imposed on those found violating the norms.
According to directions issued by the Pollution Control Board, all construction sites in the state are required to be covered with protective curtains or sheets throughout the construction period to prevent the spread of dust and debris. A circular to this effect has formally been issued to all municipal corporations, municipal councils and notified area committees, instructing them to ensure strict compliance with the orders and initiate punitive action against violators.
However, the ground reality paints a grim picture. In most of the towns, under-construction buildings in residential and commercial areas remain uncovered, releasing clouds of dust into the atmosphere on a daily basis. The situation worsens during dry weather, when the dust severely affects the health of local residents, shopkeepers, schoolchildren and elderly people, many of whom complain of respiratory problems, irritation in eyes and reduced visibility on roads.
Information gathered by The Tribune reveals that the state government has clearly stated that no construction activity should be allowed to continue without ensuring adequate dust-control measures. Dust emanating from uncovered construction sites not only contributes significantly to air pollution but also increases the risk of accidents, especially during night hours when loose construction material and open structures pose a danger to the lives of pedestrians and motorists alike.
“We have sent a circular to all urban local bodies, including municipal corporations and municipal councils, directing them to ensure that all under-construction buildings are properly covered with curtains till the work is completed. These directions are mandatory and applicable throughout the state,” says a senior officer of the Pollution Control Board.
The officer admits that the board receives complaints regularly from different districts regarding the violation of pollution control norms. He terms the situation as serious and says that the board is empowered to impose penalties on defaulting builders and developers. He warns that strict action will be taken if the civic bodies fail to enforce the rules. He urges the municipal authorities to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards violators.
Meanwhile, environmentalists blame weak monitoring and administrative apathy for the prevailing situation. KB Ralhan, a local environmental activist, says that covering construction sites does not entail any major financial burden on builders. “This is not a funding issue. It reflects the lack of responsibility and poor enforcement by the departments concerned. If monitoring is effective, such violations will not be so rampant,” he adds.
Experts warn that continued negligence in checking dust pollution can have long-term consequences for public health, particularly in hill towns where dust particles tend to remain suspended in the air due to low wind circulation. They call for coordinated action by the pollution control authorities, urban local bodies and district administrations to strictly enforce environmental safeguards and ensure accountability.