Government to come out with rules to tackle hazards posed by construction waste

NEW DELHI: The Environment Ministry has decided to come out with rules to deal with the health hazards posed by the waste generated from construction of various infrastructure projects.

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, while speaking at a two-day Environment and Forest Ministers' conference here today, said that his ministry has taken cognisance of the matter and the rules will be finalised within 15 days.

"We have taken cognisance of the hazards posed by construction waste. Rules for construction waste would be finalised within 15 days," Javadekar said.

He said construction waste is one of the major reasons for the air pollution in Delhi.

If the dust is properly managed in the construction of metro infrastructure, why wouldn't it be managed in constructions going on in the city, the Minister said.

His remarks came after media reports said that with the rise in construction of infrastructure in Delhi and NCR regions, there has been a rise in the lethal dust, causing severe health hazards.

Javadekar said that since the ministers of the states of the NCR regions were also present in the conference, he will hold deliberations with them before coming out with rules.

He said that the air quality in Indian cities have become part of discussions and it is welcome as it will raise awareness.

Construction dust comprises of excavated soil, cement, asbestos, plaster, silica, synthetic fibres, metal dust and paint fumes, the reports said.

The conference provides the states an opportunity to share the best practices on various laws, rules and procedures related to environment.

The two-day conference would deliberate upon a wide range of issues including waste to wealth, ease of doing business and HLC Report, forest, wildlife, pollution-related issues, biodiversity and climate change and Eco-Sensitive Zones, including Western Ghats.