The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) on Tuesday notified draft guidelines prescribing penalties ranging from ₹30,000 to ₹5 lakh for construction activities undertaken in the city. It also plans to stop construction activities that pollute the environment.

Once the guidelines are approved, the GCC is likely to issue orders to stop construction activities if the respective owners/constructors fail to rectify the norm violations within 15 days of notice. Violations have been classified into three categories: high significance, medium significance, and low significance.

The guidelines are available at https://chennaicorporation.gov.in/gcc/

Service providers, builders, owners, and the public have been advised to send their comments and suggestions to swmcleanconstruction@gmail.com, within 30 days.

Site inspections

In case of medium or low-significance violations, 10 days’ time will be given to rectify the issues. The civic body may undertake inspections at sites to ensure mitigation measures are being adhered to; and the constructor concerned shall endeavour to provide access to site and project records as and when demanded. Any constructor found violating the guidelines will be penalised.

The guidelines are prescribed for building and other construction works to mitigate air pollution. They will apply to building constructions, ready-mix concrete, batching plants, and other construction works undertaken within the GCC’s limits.

Project sites spanning up to one acre shall be barricaded with six-metres-long tin or metal sheets to prevent the spillage of dust and debris. For sites spanning more than one acre, buildings that are over 70 metres high, and ready mix concrete plants, 10-metres-long tin/metal sheets will be used.

All the structures that are to be either constructed or demolished shall be covered with high-density fabric, tarpaulin, or double-layered green net to prevent spillage of re-suspended dust particles. Adequate sprinkling or anti-smog guns focused on the dust-emitting source shall be used to control the dust generated during the demolition and construction activities. Further, continuous (manual or mechanical) water sprinkling and fogging will also be carried out.

As per the draft guidelines, all the construction materials, excavated earth, and construction and demolition waste shall be accumulated at the site itself, and not dumped on public roads or pavements. These materials shall be covered with high-density polyethylene sheet or tarpaulin of at least 200 GSM to avoid the re-suspension of dust. Constructors shall undertake regular housekeeping of the site reduce the dust.