Due to increasing pollution level in the country’s capital Delhi and NCR areas, common people have started suffocating. Due to which Grape-3 has been implemented in Delhi NCR. After the implementation of Grap-3, where vehicles have been banned. On the other hand, construction work in Delhi NCR has also been stopped. Regarding which discussion has started in the real estate sector. Even its criticism has started. Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India i.e. CREDAI, the largest organization of real estate developers, has also given its suggestions regarding Grape. Before we move towards CREDAI, it is very important to understand what is GRAPE? Due to which there is so much ruckus in the real estate sector?
What is Grape?
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been implemented to reduce the pollution level in Delhi NCR. Many restrictions are imposed under GRAP to reduce air pollution. When AQI crosses 200, the first phase of GRAP is implemented. After this, when AQI crosses 300, phase 2 is implemented and when AQI crosses 400, phase 3 is implemented. When Grape 3 is implemented, construction is banned. Similarly, vandalism and public activities are also banned.
It is not right to ban construction works
Manoj Gaur, Chairman of CREDAI NCR and CMD of Gaur Group, says that it is necessary to stop pollution, but it is not right to completely ban construction work. This affects the livelihood of workers and delays projects which are already working under the strict rules of RERA. The real estate sector is the biggest supporter of unorganized labour, and every stoppage of work disrupts the project budget and schedule. According to RERA rules, it is necessary to complete the project on time, otherwise penalty has to be paid. At present thousands of houses are being built, and people are eagerly waiting for their house. In such a situation, if RERA-approved projects are given exemption under GRAP, then development work will continue and economic balance will also be maintained.
Focus on work that does not cause pollution
County Group Director Amit Modi says that being responsible real estate developers, we fully support the government’s GRAPE scheme. It is very important to reduce the increasing pollution in Delhi-NCR, and real estate and construction sectors should also play their role in this. For this, such works which harm the environment should be stopped for some time. Currently, developers should focus only on non-polluting work on the site, such as wood work, pipe fitting, flooring, aluminum and glass fitting, electrical wiring, sanitary fitting and gardening. This will ensure that the work is completed on time given to home buyers and also does not harm the environment. We believe that in these difficult times, developers should work by adopting environment-friendly methods.
Steps like grab are necessary
Sundream Group CEO Harsh Gupta said that pollution is a serious problem in Delhi-NCR, and steps like GRAP are necessary to reduce it. However, instead of stopping construction work completely, we should adopt strategies that maintain a balance between environment and development. For example, polluting tasks such as transportation and mixing of construction materials must stop, but tasks such as interior work, painting, and fitting can continue. This will not affect the time limit of the project and the livelihood of the workers will also be safe.
Lakhs of people are employed
According to Kushagra Ansal, Director of Ansal Housing, due to implementation of GRAP, there are restrictions on construction works, which reduces pollution to some extent. But it should be kept in mind that the real estate sector is linked to the livelihood of millions of people. We recommend that the government issue special guidelines for RERA-approved projects. We should adopt technology and processes that are environment friendly, such as pre-cast manufacturing techniques or dust control equipment. This will not only protect the environment but will also fulfill the expectations of home buyers.
