NBCC strengthens pollution curbing measures for its projects

IN THE wake of dipping Air Quality levels in the country and especially in New Delhi, NBCC has issued revised guidelines to responsibly and effectively curb dust pollution caused by Construction activities.
The Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, has made it mandatory to seek approvals of the environmental management plan, inclusive of dust mitigation measures, before the implementation of any building or infrastructure project requiring environmental clearance.
Dr Anoop Kumar Mittal, CMD, NBCC, said, “As a conscious corporate, we at NBCC always undertake due diligence of the processes before starting the work...
at any of our sites. This is followed by continuous & strict monitoring and vigil. We have always ensured that there is no harmful impact on the environment. However, witnessing the depleting Air quality levels, we have doubled up our efforts and measures to counter it effectively. We will continue to make earnest efforts towards maintaining the Air Quality Index by adopting requisite dust-mitigation measures at all project sites.”
NBCC has issued standard guidelines in respect of site activities and adoption of dust-mitigation methods such as transportation of Sand, grit, cement and other construction materials only in permanently closed vehicles covered by tarpaulin sheets; transportation & storage of cement and fly ash in closed silos; absolute prohibition of grinding and cutting of building materials; removal of malba /wastages from the work site immediately after completion of concerned work(s) at site; sprinkling of water; using black top for paving the roads leading to construction site; washing of truck tyres in addition to controlling the speed limit of the vehicle; proper barricading at site as per CPCB norms; and availability of Pollution check machines at all work sites to monitor the pollution level of diesel / petrol / CNG operated vehicles. The company has also designated officials to monitor and ensure strict compliance of these dust mitigation measures at all its project sites.
The PSU has also incorporated technology and innovative practices to keep pollution in check and conform to environment friendly materials. The company uses AAC Hollow blocks and EPC Panels to be used in place of normal bricks, constructing the basement with diaphragm walls, construction technologies such as Structural Steel, Composite designs, MIVAN Shuttering, etc and promoting modular construction practices.
NBCC is a Project Management and Consultancy, the company’s present areas of operations are categorised into three main segments: Project Management Consultancy (PMC), Real Estate Development and EPC Contracting. The company is listed with both the Stock Exchanges since 2012. With consolidated revenue of Rs 7,096 crore (FY 2018), NBCC has been growing with a consistent upward trajectory of 20 per cent CAGR in the past five years. The company’s unique business model has today makes it stand out as a leader in its own right in the construction sector with more than Rs 80,000 crore order book in hand.