Hurdles in GRAP IV execution: Inadequate machinery, staff
With strict measures being imposed by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to deal with ‘severe’ AQI in the NCR, lack of resources, infrastructure and staff are posing a hurdle in its effective implementation.
The agencies and the departments carrying the onus of its implementation are faced with the shortage of staff, machinery and resources for making the curbs effective, claim sources in the local administration. Lack of coordination and timely action threaten to dilute the results of GRAP IV measures as far as pollution control is concerned, it is claimed. Though around 40 teams have been set up by the Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF) to conduct field visits and issue challans against dumping and burning of waste in open, stray cattle, open defecation, illegal meat shops and use of polythene items or bags in the city, the number of personnel on the ground is very low keeping in mind the civic limits with 46 wards and population of over 20 lakh. The staff deployed is also burdened with extra work of conducting checks regarding construction, dumping of construction and demolition material, sprinkling of water, using anti-smog guns, and automated sweeping of roads during the period, it is claimed.
G’ram MC issues 44 challans for GRAP 4 violations
The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram on Tuesday imposed a fine of Rs 3 lakh on 44 individuals/firms for doing activities prohibited under GRAP-4.
These include 27 challans for burning coal or wood in tandoor, 14 challans for construction and demolition activities despite the ban, one challan for garbage dumping, two challans for keeping and transporting construction material without covering.
Joint Commissioner, MCG, Pradeep Kumar also visited various areas and inspected the cleanliness system and compliance of GRAP rules.
With the MCF having just two Anti Smog Guns (ASG), it has hired three more machines from the private sector. The personnel operating them have been asked to work double shifts in view of the crunch of machines and staff, it is revealed. As the authorities need to deploy ASGs at a distance of every two or three kilometres, the shortage of the machinery is yet to be addressed, despite the fact that the ‘very poor’ AQI had been a regular phenomenon in winters, said an official on condition of anonymity. The civic body has only nine automated sweeping machines (two on rent), this number is reported to be less in comparison to the demand, as manual sweeping needs to be abandoned to contain dust, according to sources.
The regional offices of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority, HSVP, HSIIDC, the Haryana Police are among the other agencies which are expected to work simultaneously in their jurisdictions. These agencies are also facing a staff crunch, it is claimed. The HSPCB is required to submit a compliance report based on the action taken by various departments daily, on all 14 points to be implemented during the GRAP.
Birender Kardam Chief Engineer, MCF, said while all available resources and machinery had been activated, he said 119 challans worth Rs 7.65 lakh were issued in the past 48 hours. Construction activity on 500 sq metres or above sized plots had been halted, he said. Dinesh Kumar, Regional Officer, HSPCB said raids and vigilance had been stepped up to curb any violation regarding construction or emission of pollutants in the industrial or commercial sector.
