Anti-pollution measures: Civic bodies issue challans, halt construction activities

Over 170 challans were issued and 12 buildings sealed today in south Delhi by the area's civic body, a day after the Lt Governor ordered stoppage of all civil construction activities across the city till Sunday as part of emergency measures to curb dust pollution, the SDMC said.

The civic body said it has intensified mechanical road sweeping of streets as part of the measures.

"In all 177 challans were issued, 12 buildings sealed and at 326 sites ongoing construction activities stopped. Construction activities have been stopped by deploying enormous teams in the areas such as Fatah Nagar, Bali Nagar, Tagore Garden" a senior SDMC official said.

Meanwhile, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) in a statement today claimed that it has issued challans from June 11-15 and imposed penalty worth "over Rs 20 lakh in that period" for various violations of the National Green Tribunal norms.

"Maximum penalty was imposed today," a senior official said, however, he did not furnish break-up of the penalty.

A senior SDMC official said to control dust pollution water sprinkling was carried out in areas like Ayanagar, Dabri Mor, Greater Kailash, Prahlaladpur, Bijwasn village, Bindapur, Amar Colony, Najafgarh Road, Palam railway station, among other places.

The SDMC said it will also start a plantation drive in view of the spike in pollution levels in Delhi over the last few days.

A steady breeze slightly decreased the city's air pollution levels but the air quality remained in the "severe" category for the fourth day today, monitoring agencies said.