RELEASE: Launch of the Clean Construction Pilot Project in Surat

02 May, 2022

2 May, Surat: Shri Banchhanidhi Pani, IAS Commissioner Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) today launched the ‘Clean Construction’ pilot project that aims to be India’s first ‘Least Air Pollution Emission Construction Project.’

This pilot project is first of its kind, will implement all on-site air pollution mitigation measures, to reduce air emission as suggested in the ‘Handbook of Clean Construction Practices in Surat’ – a guidance document for the construction industry launched by World Resources Institute India (WRI India) in collaboration with Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), SMC and CREDAI Surat; and supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

The construction and road dust lead to 18% and 11% of the total PM2.5 in the city in summers and winters, and for PM10, the contribution rises to 46% and 19% in summers and winters, respectively, as per the source apportionment study conducted for Surat city. Due to its significant contribution to air pollution, the Handbook of Clean Construction Practices in Surat, and the Surat Clean Air Action Plan (SCAP) considered building construction as a priority sector and suggested measures to mitigate air pollution by regular air quality monitoring, implementing engineering controls, and enhancing technical capacity of construction staff etc.

The clean construction pilot carries out air quality monitoring during implementation of several dust mitigation measures recommended in the handbook, such as use of wet processes, process isolation, and mulching etc. The pilot also focuses on reducing personal exposure of construction staff additionally through proper use of PPEs and local exhaust ventilation.

Shri Banchhanidhi Pani, Commissioner, Surat Municipal Corporation congratulated the project partners and thanked them for recognizing the problem of dust from construction sites and their willingness to participate in this project. He stated that this ‘first of its kind project will become a benchmark for construction in India.

The pilot, being undertaken at a construction site in Surat city, will also analyse the impact of all construction activities on ambient air quality at the case site (undertaking proposed mitigation measures) and a control site (no mitigation measures).

Ms. Jigna Oza, Regional Officer, Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Surat said, “Dust pollution is critical issue and important under the National Clean Air Program (NCAP). Mitigation of construction dust management is important for good air quality and future compliance activities.

The site serves as a demonstration site for other members of CREDAI, who want to see the practicality of these mitigation measures. In the days to come, WRI India will also aim to build the capacity of site engineers to learn about these mitigation measure and implement best construction practices at their respective sites.

Ms. Puja Tewary, India Climate and Environment program, Bloomberg Philanthropies said, “Achieving clean air targets requires turning policies into tangible actions on the ground. This pilot project in Surat has immense potential to leverage data to showcase air pollution reductions through strict adherence to clean construction guidelines. With the construction sector expected to grow multi-fold in the coming decade, this project will serve as an important model to help improve air quality across India.

About the Handbook of Clean Construction Practices
Building construction is one of the leading sources of particulate matter emissions in Surat city. Considering the growth of the construction sector and its subsequent impact on ambient air quality in Surat city, WRI India in collaboration with GPCB and SCAP, and supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, developed both the Surat Clean Air Action Plan (SCAP) and the ‘Handbook of Clean Construction Practices in Surat’. The Handbook of Clean Construction Practices consists of all the available rules, regulations, mitigation actions, and best practices to reduce air pollution emissions from various on-site construction activities.

Media contacts:
Nitya Kaushik | WRI India
nitya.kaushik@wri.org
+91 9819902763

About Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC)
Surat Municipal Corporation is a local self-government which has come into being under the Bombay Provincial Municipal Act, 1949. It carries out all the obligatory functions and discretionary functions entrusted by the BPMC Act,1949 with the following mission: To make Surat a dynamic, vibrant, beautiful, self-reliant and sustainable city with all basic amenities to provide a better quality of life.

About World Resources Institute India (WRI India)
WRI India provides objective information and practical proposals to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable development. Our work focuses on building sustainable and liveable cities and working towards a low carbon economy. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, WRI India puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being. We are inspired by and associated with World Resources Institute (WRI) a global research organization. Explore our work on our websites: wri-india.org I wricitiesindia.org