Written by Nikhil GhanekarNew Delhi | November 14, 2025 05:23 PM IST 3 min readTrinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has knocked on the doors of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) after her complaints against alleged unauthorised construction for a government project at Kasturba Gandhi (KG) Marg in Delhi, in violation of measures to curb pollution, did not elicit any action from multiple authorities.Acting on Moitra’s plea seeking urgent relief, the NGT’s principal bench, headed by chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, on Friday issued directions to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) to visit the spot in question, check the violations, if any, and issue appropriate directions.In her plea, the MP – whose official residence is at 15, Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla Lane, KG Marg – has alleged that as part of the Ministry of External Affairs’ housing project, titled ‘MEA projects’ at Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla Lane, construction was being carried out in flagrant violation and blatant disregard of the Graded Response Action Plan’s (GRAP) Stage-3 order dated November 11, whereby all non-essential construction activities have been restricted in view of the depleting air quality in Delhi.Story continues below this adRestrictions under GRAP–3 include a complete ban on dust-generating construction and demolition activities, such as demolition and earthworks, among others. It also involves restrictions on the plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel light vehicles, and conducting school classes in hybrid mode up to Class V.In her plea, Moitra prayed for a stay on the construction of the housing project in view of GRAP-3 restrictions; imposition of environmental compensation on M/s Globe Civil project and the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) for undertaking construction in violation of GRAP orders dated October 14, October 19, and November 11, as well as of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016.The government-owned NBCC is redeveloping the MEA Housing at KG Marg, which includes quarters of various types.The plea has alleged that the massive construction of the multi-storeyed housing project has been going on almost 24×7, especially post 10 pm, in flagrant violation of the law as well as rules and orders of the NGT and Supreme Court. The construction, it is alleged, has led to a severe increase in air pollution and noise pollution in a residential area, besides dust and accumulation of construction and demolition waste, which is lying uncovered without adequate abatement measures.Story continues below this adFurther, the MP said she approached different authorities since September 2025 to seek necessary action, including the Station House Officer (SHO), Barakhamba Road, and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, but nothing concrete was done. A complaint was also lodged with the CPCB’s air pollution portal, but no response was received from the statutory authorities.The CAQM issued directions to impose GRAP-3 on Tuesday after air quality in Delhi slipped into the ‘severe’ category, making it hazardous to breathe.An award-winning journalist with 14 years of experience, Nikhil Ghanekar is an Assistant Editor with the National Bureau [Government] of The Indian Express in New Delhi. He primarily covers environmental policy matters which involve tracking key decisions and inner workings of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. He also covers the functioning of the National Green Tribunal and writes on the impact of environmental policies on wildlife conservation, forestry issues and climate change. Nikhil joined The Indian Express in 2024. Originally from Mumbai, he has worked in publications such as Tehelka, Hindustan Times, DNA Newspaper, News18 and Indiaspend. In the past 14 years, he has written on a range of subjects such as sports, current affairs, civic issues, city centric environment news, central government policies and politics. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:air pollutionMahua Moitra