Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday launched a month-long anti-dust campaign to check compliance of pollution norms at construction sites. Rai said that 586 teams have been formed for its implementation.
“Out of these 586 teams, 33 teams came from the DPCC, 165 teams from the Revenue Department, 300 from MCD, 20 from DSIDC, 14 from DJB, 33 teams from DDA, 3 from Delhi Metro, 6 teams each from CPWD and PWD, one team from NDMC, four teams from Delhi Cantonment Board and one team from NHAI,” the Delhi Government Minister said while addressing a press conference.
Rai said the campaign has been launched under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to combat pollution that has been implemented in the national Capital.
“We have collaborated with several agencies to form 586 teams to monitor the implementation of this campaign. These 586 teams will go on the ground to ensure that all the rules made for the construction sites under the anti-dust campaign are being followed,” said Rai. “Also, as the GRAP system is in force in Delhi, all the construction sites with an area above 500 sq mt need to register on the portal. If they are not registering themselves, they will be barred from further construction,” said Rai. “Moreover, PUC checks and water sprinkling campaigns are being implemented with effective monitoring. The anti-dust campaign will continue for one month and end on November 6. All the 586 teams will actively monitor its implementation on the field. All the construction sites have to follow rules and action will be taken if someone defaults in following them. A penalty between Rs 10,000-Rs 500,000 can be imposed and if there is a serious violation, we will order a shutdown of the construction site,” said Rai. According to the norms, construction sites bigger than 5,000 sq mt will have to deploy one anti-smog gun, those bigger than 10,000 sq mt should have two such guns and sites bigger than 15,000 sq mt will have to set up three anti-smog guns. Similarly, sites bigger than 20,000 sq mt will have to engage four anti-smog guns.
"I appeal to the people of Delhi to complain on the Green Delhi app if you come across someone or any construction site not following anti-dust pollution rules in your neighbourhood or anywhere across Delhi. You can complain on the Green Delhi app by clicking photographs. This will help us in monitoring and implementing the campaign better," he added.