BJP MLA Rajeshwar Singh on Friday wrote to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath raising concerns about the possible environmental impact of the demolition of twin towers in Noida scheduled to take place on August 28.
The former Enforcement Directorate officer-turned-politician suggested measures to mitigate the impact of dust and debris once the nearly-100-metre tall illegal structures have been razed.
In a letter to the CM, Singh sought formation of a team headed by Additional Chief Secretary, Home, comprising Principal Secretary Environment, DO Fire Services, CEO Noida Authority, and Commissioner of Police, Gautam Budhh Nagar, among others.
"This team may be directed to immediately take stock of the situation and should ensure that minimum pollution hazards are there and sufficient steps are taken to mitigate the same," the BJP MLA wrote. Over 3,700 kg of explosives would be used to demolish Supertech's illegal twin towers at 2.30 pm on August 28, leaving behind 35,000 cubic metres of debris and a cloud of dust.
Around 5,000 residents of nearby Emerald Court and ATS Societies would have to vacate their homes from morning till evening on August 28. In his letter, Singh appealed to the CM to ensure that the hazardous materials and chemicals being used for the demolition purposes do not in any way seep into the underground water resources and pollute the same as a large number of people in the neighbouring area relies on the underground water to meet its daily needs.
"To kindly ensure that there are more than sufficient numbers of fire fighting vehicles, anti-smog guns, water tankers, water sprinklers, sweeping machines deployed so that the dust particles released from the demolition process can be contained as far as possible from spreading in the environment and the air," he added. “Atleast around 100 fire fighters and water sprinklers should be deployed at the site and the Noida Authoirty should be requested to oversee the same.
An officer of the rank of IG or above should be instructed and deployed at the site for at least one week to oversee the process to assess the damage and takes steps to mitigate it,” he said in his letter.
“There should be sufficient number of scientific teams at the demolition site for atleast one week with necessary protective gears to carry out environmental assessment after demolition and assess damage to environment and steps required to mitigate the damage caused due to demolition to protect local ecosystem and the environment,” he said.
Supertech's Apex and Ceyane towers -taller than Delhi's iconic Qutub Minar are slated to be demolished in pursuance of a Supreme Court order that found their construction within Emerald Court premises in violation of norms.