NHAI slapped Rs 10L penalty for GRAP violations in Palwal
The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has issued show-cause notice and has announced imposition of Rs 10 lakh fine in the form of environmental compensation on the NHAI for alleged violations of GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) norms in the district.
The move comes in the wake of a ground inspection carried out by the regional office of the HSPCB on the basis of complaints and reports about the violation of norms during the ongoing construction of a vehicular underpass at Baghola village on NH-19 in the district.
The inspection was done on Saturday and it was found that various violations and non-compliance of GRAP norms had been on which include accumulation of dust along the underpass, dumping of uncovered construction material, presence of construction and demolition waste and dust on sideways and median, lack of measures for mitigation of dust particles, absence of mandatory anti-smog guns, wind-breaking walls, non use of tarpaulin (green net), wind-fencing or scaffolding sheet of appropriate height around the periphery of the construction and the area under construction, according to the report submitted by the inspection team to the regional office here.
It is added that DG set had been in use in violation of CAQM direction and the vehicle used for transportation had no PUC certificate as per rules.
Various stretches on the main highway as well as service road have been found to be lying unpaved or without a bitumen layer causing a lot of dust emission in the vicinity. Photographs of the alleged violations have been attached with the notice served by HSPCB to NHAI last evening, it is claimed.
“In view of the violations, you are liable to pay the environmental compensation as assessed by the board as per methodology defined therein during GRAP period,” states the notice. “You are hereby directed to deposit environmental compensation of Rs 10 lakh and submit the compliance-cum action-taken report on the deficiencies mentioned above,” states the notice.
“Why prosecution action for continuous violation against you may not be initiated in this regard under the above said rules or acts without issuance of any further notice,” asks the notice issued by the regional office of HSPCB.
Akansha Tanwar, Regional Officer, HSPCB, said that notice and imposition of environmental compensation has been done as per pollution control norms and after detection of the violations by the department concerned. Dr Harish Kumar Vashisht, DC, said all measures would be ensured for effective implementation of GRAP-III stage norms in the district.
