MCD fines polluters Rs 54.98 lakh for December violations

Intensifying its measures against air pollution violations, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has imposed total fines of Rs 54.98 lakhs against those indulging in biomass burning and illegal dumping of Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste and other violations during the December month period.

A total of 7,023 challans, adding up to a penalty/ challan amount of Rs 43.26 lakhs has been issued during the enforcement drive to check illegal dumping of C& D waste and other violations causing air pollution across Delhi. Action was taken against offenders and penalties were imposed in accordance with the provisions of the DMC Act, the solid waste management regulations and the NGT directions

As many as 356 MCD surveillance teams with officials are deployed for inspection drives across multiple locations in all 12 zones from December 1 to December 20. The MCD took stern action against open burning of waste or Biomass since this violation is a major contributor of air pollution.

MCD has issued challans against 420 nos violators for burning of biomass and garbage across its zones during this period.

These actions have resulted in the imposition of penalties amounting to approx Rs 11.72 lakhs.

The MCD teams have deployed extra machinery, sanitation personnel, and waste-collection vehicles to clean the stretch / Garbage Vulnerable Points and restore hygiene. Around 500 Secondary collection points are being cleared during the night daily and it is being monitored daily.

The MCD has directed all Zonal Officers to strictly implement the revised GRAP guidelines issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and as per the directions of the Supreme Court, from time to time. Dust mitigation measures at Pollution hotspots and across all zones on a regular basis, MCD undertakes extensive pollution mitigation measures to control pollution at 13 hotspots across Delhi.

Coordinated efforts are being made in pollution monitoring with other agencies and intensified water sprinkling operations by anti-smog guns and water sprinklers at these hotspots.

MCD is carrying out water sprinkling on 18 roads with high visibility dust as part of dust mitigation measures in the past one week. Dust control measures were undertaken as per the directions under GRAP IV and observations of CAQM teams.

Nearly 52 mechanical sweepers for ensuring sweeping of roads as a part of dust mitigation during night hours, along with dedicated sanitation staff for Clearance of footpath and Central verge from littering of imp roads and visible cleanliness across major roads. Roads are also being washed with jetting machines as apart of this exercise.

As many as 28 anti-mog guns and 167 water sprinklers augment the dust control and pollution control measures in such areas across all zones.

Regular night sweeping of major arterial roads is carried out.

During the past one week, MCD has cracked down on violators of construction and demolition restrictions under GRAP IV and imposed fines amounting to Rs 33.95. As many as 34 illegal jeans dyeing units violating pollution norms were sealed during the past week.