As a penal action against the flouting of dust control measures by various ongoing construction projects at Delhi Armed Police Line in Dwarka, India International Convention Centre in Dwarka, and multiple projects of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) imposed fines worth of Rs 1 crore to 19 of such projects following an inspection drive on Tuesday, March 17.
A senior official from DPCC told a national daily, “We have issuefines to the Delhi Police, DDA, Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and other private builders for violation of dust control measures. We have issued fines to the agencies that took environmental clearance for these constructions.”
The official further said that the agencies will have to pay the fine and report the same along with details on corrective measures taken. Later on, the measures taken will be inspected.
Elaborating on the fines imposed the official informed that during the inspection visits carried by the DPCC from February 15-28 of the 57 inspected construction sites. 18 project proponents were fined ₹5 lakh each and one has to pay a fine of ₹10 lakh.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) released a set of guidelines on dust control in November 2017 that lists outs several measures, including use of covering sheets (plastic, tarpaulin, etc.) on construction material that can easily get airborne, and on construction and demolition debris.
Anumita Roy Chowdhary, Head of ‘Clean Air Programme’ at the Centre for Science and Environment, Delhi said, “Enforcement of dust control measures in building and road construction will have to be strengthened. The government has to ensure compliance and accountability with strong deterrence.”
“Usually such inspection is done during summer, and when pollution peaks in winter. But this year, we have started early and plan to continue the drive,” the DPCC official said.
