Garbage found dumped at 17 unauthorised sites in Bahadurgarh, officer pulled up

Having imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh for non-compliance of solid waste management norms, the Regional Office of Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has now issued a show-cause notice to the District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO) after finding solid waste at 17 unauthorised locations in the Bahadurgarh area of the district.

In the notice, the DDPO has been asked to remove the waste scientifically and stop the dumping/burning activity from all 17 locations immediately. He has also been asked to submit an action taken report (ATR) at the earliest.

“The solid waste/garbage cannot be dumped anywhere other than the authorised dumping points. The waste should also be lifted scientifically on a daily basis as per the guidelines issued under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) but the guidelines were found violated when our field officer Assistant Environmental Engineer Amit Kumar inspected 17 locations near Chhara village recently. He found that solid/plastic waste was being burnt there. These sites were also not authorised for dumping waste,” said Shakti Singh, Regional Officer (RO), Jhajjar.

He said that this violation during the GRAP period is of serious nature and is a source of air pollution, hence it needed immediate action by the officer concerned of Urban Local bodies Department in the district, but the guidelines were not followed that led to action.

“As per guidelines, officials concerned are bound to ensure regular lifting of the municipal solid waste, construction waste and hazardous waste from dedicated dump sites, besides making sure that no waste is dumped illegally on open land. Similarly, strict vigil is required to check burning incidents in the landfill sites/dumpsites,” Shakti added.

Pradeep Dahiya, Deputy Commissioner, claimed all steps were being taken to control pollution in the district, adding that action was being taken against vehicles spreading pollution within the district limits. “Instructions have been given to the officials concerned to take action against pollution check centres violating the rules,” he added.

Jhajjar SDM Ravindra Yadav said all pollution check centres had been directed not to issue pollution under control (PUC) certificates to vehicles without High Security Registration Plate and hologram-based coloured stickers. “The transport and the police departments will conduct a campaign to challan such vehicles. If any centre issues PUC certificates to such vehicles in violation of the instructions, then action will also be taken against them,” said Yadav.