As construction activity continues across Delhi, the city is preparing to place thousands of building sites under round-the-clock digital surveillance through an artificial intelligence-driven system aimed at curbing dust pollution and fixing accountability for violations.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) is set to launch DUST Portal 2.0 in the coming weeks. The upgraded platform will use AI-enabled cameras, particulate matter sensors, automated audits and real-time analytics to monitor compliance with dust-control norms at construction sites across the Capital.
The proposal was reviewed on Thursday at a meeting chaired by Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa. Officials presented the system and its operational framework. The portal is being positioned as a technology-driven mechanism to strengthen enforcement of environmental rules linked to construction activity, a major source of dust pollution in the city.
Officials said the platform would enable 24×7 monitoring of registered construction sites and track whether prescribed pollution-control measures are being followed. These include the use of high-density green anti-dust nets and anti-smog guns. The system will also be linked to PM sensors and Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (CAAQM) stations to assess the impact of individual sites on PM2.5 and PM10 levels.
One of the key features of the portal will be a QR code-based inspection system. Every registered construction site will receive a unique QR code, allowing officials to instantly access site details, compliance records, audit reports and environmental data during inspections. The government said the move would improve transparency and strengthen field-level monitoring.
The proposed system will also introduce a three-tier alert mechanism to trigger timely enforcement. A Yellow Alert will serve as an early warning when air quality thresholds are crossed. An Orange Alert will indicate moderate violations identified through audits, while a Red Alert will flag serious breaches, after which the concerned department can initiate action automatically.
During the review meeting, Sirsa directed officials to ensure compliance with QR code-based inspections and strengthen on-ground monitoring. He said the government was reinforcing existing systems and processes to improve air quality and ensure cleaner air for residents.
“Our purpose is not merely to collect data but to fix accountability. Every construction site must comply with dust-control norms, and technology will help us identify violations in real time. Development work in Delhi cannot come at the cost of people’s health. DUST Portal 2.0 will ensure transparency, accountability and prompt action against negligence,” Sirsa said.
Officials also demonstrated specialised dashboards developed for project experts and DPCC officers. The dashboards are expected to provide real-time information on compliance status, environmental analysis, alert management and digital audits.
The planned rollout marks a shift towards technology-assisted environmental enforcement, where violations can be detected, tracked and acted upon through automated systems instead of relying solely on periodic inspections. For a city battling dust pollution alongside rapid urban growth, the success of the initiative will depend on how effectively the monitoring network translates alerts and data into enforcement on the ground.
