Gurgaon: As Delhi focuses on the odd-even trial to clean up its air, it's time for NCR cities like Gurgaon to take decisive steps against the other major pollutant. Dust.
Fighting air pollution is a battle Delhi cannot win alone. Over the past few days, Huda has issued 45 challans for dumping of construction waste and open burning of leaves, both banned in Gurgaon. It's a start, but there's a long way to go, evident from a reality check TOI carried out on Wednesday.
Building materials were found dumped in the open along roadsides in many parts of the city while construction material lay uncovered at various sites, creating a dusty haze around them. Some of these sites were, ironically, of projects is which the Huda is itself a collaborator.
From the police commissioner's office to Rajiv Chowk, construction materials were found lying on roadside at three places. At one site on Court Road, the public works department was found to be carrying out construction without covering the area.
"Construction at a number of places in DLF Phase 3 is done without following guidelines issued by the Union ministry of environment," said Achal Malhotra, president of Residents Empowerment and Welfare Society, DLF Phase 3.
At Hero Honda Chowk construction work of an underpass and flyover were being carried out without covering the area. Construction materials were found on road sides at Jail Road, Sector 34, Ulhaspur, Kadarpur, Badshapur,and several other areas .
When contacted, deputy commissioner and MCG chief, TL Satyaprakash admitted a lot needs to be done to check dust pollution in the city. "We are making multi-pronged-strategies to improve air quality," said Satyaprakash, adding that along with taking strict action against violators, they are also trying to make people aware of the benefits of more green cover in the city, which is the best way to check pollution.
He said the civic body is also going to start night sweeping from January 26 and will soon procure four vacuum cleaners to clean the city's roads. "One machine is likely to come in this month and remaining will be procured within 45 days," said Satyaprakash.
A Huda official said that the urban development body will not spare anyone who violates the green guidelines. "Huda is now acting strictly against violators in cases such as burning of horticulture waste and dumping of construction waste and construction materials in the open," he said.
The official said in the last few days they have penalised 45 people. "After receiving complaints, officials inspect the site and issue challan if they found any violation of norms," he said.
