Buildings in over 20000 sqm to pay Rs 5 lakh fine for dust pollution

Buildings generating high levels of dust in Delhi and the national capital region (NCR) has come under the scanner of the National Green Tribunal which said that construction sites built on an area of above 20,000 sqm will be fined Rs 5 lakh for causing dust pollution and flouting environmental norms.

“We hereby direct that construction sites which are built on a plot area of more than 20,000 sqm would be liable to pay environmental compensation of Rs 5,00,000 per violation,” a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

While asking the municipal corporations and other authorities concerned to strictly act against the violators, the green panel also clarified that construction sites which are built on a plot area of 100 sqm will pay Rs 10,000 while buildings of 100 to 200 sqm will pay Rs 20,000 as environmental compensation.

“Buildings of plot size 200 to 500 sqm will pay Rs 30,000 while sites of 500 to 20,000 sqm will pay Rs 50,000 as environmental compensation,” it added.

The tribunal had earlier directed civic bodies and public authorities in Delhi-NCR to submit a list of builders carrying out construction in areas over 2,000 sq ft.

The green panel had directed the municipal corporations of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana governments to file complete status reports on the steps taken by them to curb air pollution caused by dust emission. The direction came during the hearing of a case relating to air pollution in which it had last year issued notices to various persons to show cause why a compensation of Rs 50,000 not be imposed upon them for causing pollution. The green panel had last year announced a fine of Rs 50,000 on those causing pollution.