New Delhi: 26/10/2016
Delhi Govt reviews preparation for prohibition of burning of garbage, dry leaves and dust control measures ahead of Winter & Diwali
Environment Minister, Shri Imran Hussain on Wednesday reviewed the preparation of various land owning agencies regarding prohibition of burning of garbage, dry leaves, waste, plastic, rubber etc and dust control measures at construction sites to check air pollution in Delhi.
The meeting was attended by senior officers of the Environment Department, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Revenue Department, Delhi Development Authority(DDA), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), East/North/South MCDs, Delhi Cantonment Board(DCB), Central Public Works Department (CPWD), PWD, Traffic Police, Health Department, Delhi Parks & Garden Society(DPGS).
In the meeting, the minister directed strict compliance of the Hon’ble NGT order in O.A. 21 of 2014 titled “VardhmanKaushik Vs. UOI” regarding prohibition of burning of garbage, dry leaves, waste, plastic, rubber etc and dust control measures at construction sites.
The National Green Tribunal has directed all Land Owning Agencies in Delhi to impose fine of Rs.5,000/- on persons found burning of leave material in the open and fine upto Rs. 5 lakh on the owners/ builders who are found not following the dust control measures while carrying out construction activity.
Delhi government has conferred powers on SDMs &Tehsildars to levy fine of Rs. 5,000/- on the persons found indulged in burning of dry leaves, waste material, plastic, rubber etc. in open. Besides this all the land owning agencies, municipal corporations, DDA, Delhi Cantonment Board etc. are similarly vested with powers to impose levy of like amount from the violators
Mr Hussain asked all the land owning agencies to intensify their inspections as the winter is fast approaching and air pollution problem is likely to become grave, as seen from the past experience.
The Minister’s direction assumes special significance in view of forthcoming Diwali festival coinciding with onset of winter season. This is the part of season when lower colder layers of atmosphere do not permit easy dissipation of particulate matter and results in heightened air pollution levels in the National Capital Region.
During the meeting, land owning agencies informed about action being taken against violators of dust control norms and those found indulging in burning of waste matter in open.
The Minister emphasized the need to increase the vigil in the coming days so that instances of violations of dust control norms and burning in open could be minimized as otherwise these factors could add to air pollution much to the discomfort of citizens of Delhi especially senior citizens and young children.
Mr Hussain observed that neighbouring States viz. Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have already been requested to stop instances of burning of agriculture residue which are also one of the major sources of air pollution during this part of season. In order to have effective check on sale/stocking/bursting of firecrackers especially the ones illegally imported/Chinese crackers, 11 teams headed by SDMs duly assisted by ExecutiveEngineers of DPCC are making also surprise inspections in their respective areas.
The team deputed in the North West district seized huge quantity of Chinese crackers in Avantika market and the West district team seized imported crackers Tilak Market, Ramesh Nagar in the night of 25.10.2016.
Besides this, Delhi Police has been requested to strictly enforce ban on bursting of crackers from 10.00 pm to 6.00 am.
The Minister observed that initial trends indicate the commitment of people in controlling air pollution as the residential average data collected since 17thOctober, 2016 till 25th October, 2016 is lately showing downward trend in so far as PM 10 and PM 2.5 are concerned.(Chart enclosed).
The Minister once again appealed to general public to fully support Delhi Government’s Anti Fire Crackers Campaign so that Delhites could breathe fresh and healthy air this Diwali.
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