Illegal debris dumping to invite fine

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 30

Illegal dumping of construction debris anywhere in the state can now invoke strong action, including hefty penalty, and in case of repeated offence, a person can face disconnection of water, electricity and other civic amenities.

These are the provisions in the Himachal Pradesh State Policy and the Strategy for Management of Construction and Demolition Waste notified by the Urban Development Department. The move is aimed at preventing reckless dumping by construction companies, government agencies as well as individuals, which is ruining the fragile ecology.

It is by way of this policy that the provision of strict penalty will be incorporated, which was non-existent. The problem is grave in Shimla, Solan, Dharamsala and other such growing towns which are witnessing construction activity. The vehicle engaged in illegal dumping will be impounded.

There have been protests by locals in many places over the unscientific dumping of debris, which has resulted in environmental degradation and damaged the local water sources and flora of the area.

The thrust will be to reduce, re-use and recycle the debris. The urban local bodies will be asked to frame bylaws for the management of the waste with significant penalties. Agencies like the Town and Country Planning, Forest, MC and other local bodies have been made responsible to ensure against any illegal dumping of debris. It has been mandated that all forest land, water bodies, drains and roadsides be declared as no-littering zones. Such activities may should be a cognisable offence.

It has been further recommended that the penalties should be structured as a waterfall arrangement where penalties increase proportionately for consecutive and repeated non-compliance by the same person. In case of repeated violation, in addition to penalty as specified above, the owner at whose instance the construction work is being carried out can face disconnection of water, electricity and others civic amenities, besides withdrawal of building sanction.

It has been recommended that all amounts collected as penalties under the bylaws should be transferred to a separate bank account maintained for funds for the solid waste management.

The increase in the number of buildings, expansion of urban infrastructure (such as roads, bridges, flyovers, dams, etc) and demolition of old buildings have also resulted in immense amount of waste being generated in the form of debris and building material.

No-littering zones

• The move is aimed at preserving fragile ecology
• The problem is grave in Shimla, Solan, Dharamsala which are witnessing construction activity.
• The vehicle engaged in illegal dumping will be impounded
• All forest land, water bodies, drains and roadsides be declared as no-littering zones