The teams of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) deployed to check pollution violations and to monitor implementation of measures under the Clean Air Campaign, has levied a fine of over Rs 12 lakh on violators on Monday.
The highest number of complaints were related to illegal construction and demolition activities at 91. An aggressive ten-day-long ‘Clean Air Campaign’ from November 1 to 10 has been launched by Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan to monitor and report polluting activities as well as to ensure quick action.
These teams are visiting different parts of Delhi and adjacent towns of Faridabad, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Noida. Based on 322 complaints, a total fine of Rs 12,70,000 was imposed on violators in Mondya by 52 teams in the national Capital, said the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
A total of 91 complaints of construction and demolition activities were received. Other complaints included that of vehicular emission, traffic congestion, industrial emission, open or garbage burning, leaf burning, road dust, unpaved road, fire in landfill sites, air pollution from generators among others, it said.
The pollution-monitoring body said a total of 64 complaints were received through social media and e-mail while 258 complaints were received through the ‘Sameer app’ that has been developed by the CPCB. A penalty of over Rs 83 lakh was imposed on violators on a single day on Sunday, the CPCB said.
The CPCB said a total penalty of Rs 80 lakh was imposed on the violators on Friday and Saturday by the teams deployed to monitor implementation of measures to combat pollution in Delhi-NCR under the campaign.
The deployment of teams come ahead of the festival season when the air quality is expected to deteriorate to severe levels due to local factors as well as regional factors like stubble burning.
Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated to alarming levels in the last three levels with the worst quality of the season recorded on Monday.