New Delhi

With Delhi’s air quality hovering close to the ‘severe’ category, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Saturday warned of stringent action against polluting industries and those flouting the ongoing ban on construction activities in the national capital.

Referring to forecasts issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Sirsa said a western disturbance is expected to affect Delhi on Sunday, which may create unfavourable weather conditions and further aggravate pollution levels.

He stated that Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV restrictions remain in force across Delhi, and authorities are on high alert to ensure strict enforcement.

The minister said the government has received multiple complaints about construction work continuing despite the ban, and cautioned that violators will face strict punitive measures.

“All industries in Delhi must strictly adhere to pollution control norms. No polluting unit will be allowed to operate during this period,” Sirsa said, adding that any industry found violating the rules or operating illegally would be sealed without hesitation.

Emphasising that public health cannot be compromised, the minister urged builders and citizens to immediately halt construction activities during the restriction period. He said district administrations have been instructed to take firm action on the ground against illegal construction.

As part of intensified pollution-control efforts, entry of private vehicles from outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards has been prohibited since Thursday.

Sirsa also noted that the enforcement of the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ policy has begun, under which petrol pumps are barred from providing fuel to vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate.

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According to officials, compliance is being monitored using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, audio alerts at fuel stations, and support from the police to ensure effective implementation of the measures.