The Delhi Government has imposed an environment compensation penalty of Rs50,000 on 20 major projects including British School, Chanakyapuri, Pawan Hans ltd at Gautam Budh Nagar, Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, National Small Industries Corp ltd and Kidwai Nagar redevelopment project across the city for causing dust pollution.
The Delhi Government had earlier issued notices to over 200 infrastructure projects/builders in the national capital for causing dust pollution. Interestingly, a large number of defaulters did not respond to notices sent by the Delhi Government.
In its order, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has directed to deposit the cumulative compensation for each day default calculated at the rate of Rs50,000 per day from the date of issuance of notice dated April 29, 2016 up to the day of deposition of compliance report.
Calling them a major source of air pollution in the Capital, the Delhi Government officials said fines were imposed after a field survey by the DPCC found these construction sites were flouting norms on air pollution. It may be noted that following the directions of NGT, DPCC has issued notices to over 200 construction sites and sought clarification from them too.
The list of major projects which have been found violating dust norms, include Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College project at Dwarka, construction of district court opposite Mata Sundari College, proposed Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies at Rohini, National Small Industries Corp limited Okhla, Redevelopment of East Kidwai Nagar GPRA complex, Multiplex-cum-commercial development at Yashwant Place, Chanakyapuri, EWS Housing for slum relocation at Pooth Kalan village Bawana, low Cost Housing at Tikri Kalan, Prefab lIG and EWS for DDA at Narela, mega housing project by DDA at Vasant Kunj, Group Housing Societies complex at Sultan Garhi tomb and British School.
In the case of British School, Chanakyapuri, during inspection it was found that all construction debris and construction material of any kind stored at the site was not fully covered in all respects so that it does not disperse in the air in any form.
In the case of Pawan Hans ltd at Gautam Budh Nagar Noida, during inspection it was found that all construction debris and construction material of any kind stored at the site was not fully covered in all respects so that it does not disperse in the air in any form. “Unpaved surfaces and areas with loose soil were not adequately sprinkled with water to suppress dust. All vehicles including carrying construction materials and debris of any kind is not cleaned and wheels washed before leaving the construction site. Tarpaulin or green net on scaffolding around the area of construction and the building not fully provided.
Though there have been several studies in the past on the major sources of pollution in the capital, the last comprehensive study on this issue, carried out by Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur, has clearly shown that road dust and not vehicular pollution is the biggest source of air pollution. According to the IIT-Kanpur study that was carried out between 2012 and 2015, road dust is the top contributor to both PM10 (particulate matter) and PM2.5 emissions in Delhi.
Cracking the whip on the real estate sector, the tribunal had last year announced the fine of Rs50,000 on those causing air pollution caused by dust emanating from construction sites in the National Capital Region, as it made wearing of masks by construction workers mandatory.