Pollution norms violated at 20 construction sites; fine imposed
The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has imposed an environmental compensation (EC) of Rs 46 lakh on 20 construction sites for non-compliance of environmental norms under graded response action plan (GRAP-3) stage.
Apart from this, the HSPCB has imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on the senior manager, HSIIDC, Barhi, after finding illegal dumping and burning of garbage in the Barhi industrial zone.
The HSPCB has also sealed six diesel generator (DG) sets for non-compliance of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM’s) directions.
With the dipping temperature, the air quality index (AQI) of Sonepat has also started deteriorating. On Sunday, the AQI recorded 350, which was “very poor”. As per the CPCB, the main pollutants in the air were recorded at “severe” level -- the PM 2.5 was recorded maximum at 439 while the PM10 was recorded maximum 451-- in the district, which was under “severe” condition.
As per the available information, the teams of HSPCB visited 26 construction sites of which four units were found registered on the dust control portal of the pollution board while two sites were found less than 500 sq metres while a total 20 sites were found non-complying.
Following the directions of the CAQM, the HSPCB carried out a special inspection to curb air pollution. The HSPCB visited 26 sites, of which 20 were found non-complying and these sites were not found registered on the dust control portal of the Pollution Board.
Apart from this, the HSPCB team found dumping and burning of garbage in the open space at the HSIIDC, Barhi.
Following the violations of the NGT’s directions, the HSPCB has imposed an environmental compensation (EC) of Rs 25,000 on the senior manager of the HSIIDC, Barhi.
Pradeep Singh, Regional Officer, HSPCB, said an EC of Rs 46.15 lakh was imposed on 20 construction sites for violating pollution norms and Rs 25,000 EC was imposed on the Senior Manager, HSIIDC, Barhi, while six DG sets were sealed.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Kumar, Joint Commissioner, MC, on Sunday held a special meeting with the officials of the sanitary wing and directed thatGRAP-3 norms be strictly implemented in the city.
The Joint Commissioner directed the officials to initiate action against the people for burning garbage and against those who didn’t cover their construction material. He also constituted four teams ward-wise to ensure the proper implementation of the CAQM’s directions.
“The MC has challaned six persons for burning garbage openly in the city while 12 persons have been challaned for not covering their construction material of their building,” the Joint Commissioner said.
