MC issues 705 challans for GRAP violations in Gurugram

The Municipal Corporation, Gurugram (MCG), has imposed a fine of Rs 30.10 lakh on 705 individuals/firms for doing activities prohibited under Stage-4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) implemented by the Central Air Quality Management Commission.

MCG Commissioner Ashok Kumar Garg has asked the officials of the civic body to act swiftly against violators, citing a surge in complaints from multiple sources.

He emphasised the need to intensify preventive measures like deploying anti-smog guns, water sprinklers and mechanised road sweepers.

Garg said all types of activities that increased pollution were prohibited under the Stage-4 of the GRAP implemented in the Gurugram district.

Under this, burning coal or wood in oven, taking part in construction and demolition activities, transporting construction material or debris without covering, throwing debris or garbage in public places and setting garbage on fire were punishable offences, he said.

Adding that the MCG had imposed a fine of Rs 30.10 lakh on 705 individuals/firms ever since GRAP was enforced by the district administration, the Commissioner said 20 challans were issued in the cases related to garbage burning while 27 challans were issued for coal or wood burning, 128 for construction and demolition activities, 22 for illegal dumping of C&D waste, 290 for illegal dumping of garbage, 218 for single-use plastic.

Garg said he had constituted 35 teams at the ward level to keep a check on GRAP violations. These teams conduct regular inspections in the wards assigned to them. They strictly monitor unauthorised activities in the hotspot areas and other sensitive places. Besides this, these teams take all possible measures for dust control like sprinkling of water on the roads and roadside trees. These teams are also empowered to issue challans and impose fines against violations GRAP prohibitory orders.

The Commissioner said STP purified water was being sprayed on the roads and trees by the MC teams to reduce and control the level of pollution. For this, 10 anti-smog guns and 18 water tankers have been deployed on various roads.

Apart from this, anti-smog guns are being used by many builders in the corporation area to control pollution at different places. He said 16 mechanised sweeping machines were also working on different routes to clean the main roads.