Beijing bans winter construction to boost air quality

World
Europe

Beijing will suspend construction of major projects in the city this winter in an effort to improve air quality, official media said on Sunday, citing the municipal commission of housing and urban-rural development.

All construction of road and water projects, as well as demolition of housing, will be banned from November 15 to March 15 within the city's six major districts and surrounding suburbs, Xinhua reported.

The suspension period covers the four months when central heating is supplied to the city's homes and other buildings.

Beijing bans winter construction to improve air quality. /AFP Photo

In the fourth year of China’s "war on pollution", Beijing has promised to apply tough industrial and traffic curbs across the north of the country this winter in a bid to meet key smog targets.

The capital is aiming to reduce airborne particles known as PM2.5 by more than a quarter from their 2012 levels and bring average concentration down to 60 micrograms per cubic meter.

However, some major construction projects connected with people's livelihoods such as railways, airports and affordable housing may continue, the report said.

It added that the government will step up supervision of dust control on city construction sites and implement restrictions on use of machinery with high emissions.

Violations of the new rules will be strictly punished, it added.

1km

Source(s): Reuters