Govt finds pollution norms violation at Pragati Maidan

New Delhi: An inspection led by Delhi environment minister Imran Hussain on Friday found “serious violations” in norms for dust control at the Pragati Maidan redevelopment site, following which the minister directed pollution control authorities to take strict action, the city government said.

The team undertook a surprise inspection at the ongoing construction sites of ITPO at Pragati Maidan, where a new International Exhibition cum Conventional Centre, Executive Accommodation blocks and a tunnel is being constructed, it said.

“The team found a number of serious violations of dust control measures at the Pragati Maidan redevelopment site, following which the minister directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to take strict action against the violating agency,” the environment department said in a statement Friday.

Mr Hussain also directed that no construction site should be left uncovered in Delhi, it said. The Air Quality Index of Delhi was recorded in ‘very poor’ category Friday by the DPCC with an AQI of 361 in the evening.

Sub divisional magistrate of south Delhi, officials of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, PWD, DPCC and the Delhi police accompanied the minister during the site inspection.

The team also observed several discrepancies during the visit, including “blatant violation of environmental clearance (EC) conditions”, the statement said.

“There is visible, clear cut negligence on part of contractors with regard to Construction and Demolition Waste Rules 2016 and orders of Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal on air pollution and GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan),” it said.

The team also found that stacks of building materials viz; sand and excavated boulders were “kept uncovered and in dry condition” causing dust pollution in the area.

“All construction sites were without mat fencing to trap the dust. All mat covering (green sheets) arrangements were insufficient to mitigate the quantum of dust being generated from the construction sites. Also, approach and internal roads were full of dust due to water not being sprinkled,” the statement said.

Besides, trucks were found to carry construction material “uncovered”, thus emanating dust in the environment, it said.

Mr Hussain directed that development agencies and contractors should ensure that all construction sites should adhere to guidelines of environmental clearance to avoid any dust emission from construction activities.