Delhi: MCD recovered 6% of construction-dust fines in 2025

MCD issued about 3,300 challans to construction sites in 2025 for violating pollution-control norms, levying penalties of roughly Rs 5.5 crore. It recovered around Rs 33 lakh — about 6% of the amount imposed.

In 2024, the civic body issued about 2,600 challans worth Rs 5.3 crore and recovered around Rs 45 lakh. Construction and demolition activity is permitted during GRAP Stage I, when the AQI is between 201 and 300, but sites must follow dust-mitigation rules. Violations can draw fines of Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh.

Restrictions tighten as GRAP stages rise. Under Stage III, non-essential construction and demolition work must stop, and civic authorities can seal violating sites.

MCD’s records do not list amounts recovered from open-burning challans. The civic body issued more than 190 such challans worth Rs 4.4 lakh in 2024, and nearly 800 worth around Rs 8.7 lakh in 2025. Burning garbage, leaves or related material can attract a Rs 5,000 penalty under NGT directions.

An MCD official said the SDM (revenue) can prosecute people who do not pay challans.