NHAI officer, BDPO put on notice for violation of green norms in Bahadurgarh

The local office of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has issued show-cause notices to project director, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Sonepat, and Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) Bahadurgarh for the violation of environmental guidelines.

The action has been taken against the NHAI officer for prosecution and environmental compensation for the non-compliance of the NGT directions and violation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi NCR for creating air pollution under the provisions of Air Act, 1981, and the violation of CAQM's order for the implementation of Stage-II.

Similarly, the BDPO has been put on notice for the non-compliance of Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2016, Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 in the HSIIDC Bahadurgarh and nearby areas.

Acting on the complaints, officials of the HSPCB had inspected the under-construction stretch of the Bahadurgarh bypass at Balor Chowk underpass, Badli chowk, Jhajjar Chowk, Beri Chowk underpass and adjoining service lanes on Tuesday.

“The officials found a lot of dust accumulated along the Bahadurgarh bypass median/divider/sideways on the Rohtak-Delhi Highway due to the ongoing construction work. Building material was lying uncovered, while no water sprinkling was being used and no anti-smog guns were in operation for the mitigation of dust emission. Even, a lot of construction and demolition waste and dust particles were lying dumped on road side/medians/sideways,” said the sources.

Sources maintained that various stretches on the main highway as well as service road were also lying unpaved/without layer, leading to a lot of dust emission in the vicinity.

“The violations are liable for environmental compensation as such activities deteriorate the Air quality, hence the project director, NHAI, Sonepat, has been directed to submit the compliance-cum-action taken report immediately and deposit environmental compensation as per the NGT directions. He has also been asked to submit why prosecution action for continued violation against him may not be initiated without giving any further notice,” said the sources.

In another case, the HSPCB officials found illegal dumping and burning of solid/ plastic waste at Balor Chowk near Bahadurgarh-Delhi bypass, so the BDPO had been directed to remove the waste scientifically and stop the dumping/burning activity, besides submitting the action taken report with fine/penalty.

“The violations during the GRAP period are of serious nature and a source of air pollution and need immediate action by the officer concerned of the Urban Local Bodies Department,” stated the show-cause notice issued to the BDPO on Wednesday.

Amit Dahiya, SDO, HSPCB, Bahadurgarh, told The Tribune that environmental compensation would be calculated as per the norms in both the cases, while a close tab was being kept in the area for the proper execution of the instructions under the GRAP-II to keep the environment healthy.

‘Norms not followed’

Officials found a lot of dust along the Bahadurgarh bypass median/divider/sideways on the Rohtak-Delhi Highway due to the ongoing construction work. Building material was lying uncovered, while no water sprinklers were being used and no anti-smog guns were in operation for mitigation of dust emission. Also, a lot of construction and demolition waste was lying dumped on roadside/medians/sideways