DPCC issues notices to 172 construction projects

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has issued notices to 172 construction projects in the city, seeking to crack down on major sources of air pollution in the national capital.
According to a senior officer, these projects have been directed to submit reports on the current status of construction and steps being taken by them in compliance with the Ministry of Environment and Forests guidelines on prevention of dust and garbage accumulation on their sites, while carrying out the construction.
They will also have to submit adherence reports on directions mentioned in the orders of the National Green Tribunal.
"It has been found that though these projects had obtained prior environmental clearance from the ministry of environment and forests or from State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Delhi, but subsequently the mandatory Consent to Operate clearance was not sought from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee," a government official said.

The existing situation of these projects gives rise to reasonable apprehension that they are either still in construction stage or have completed construction/became operational without the mandatory Consent to Operate guidelines.
Delhi environment Minister Asim Ahmed Khan has also directed officials of the department to follow up on the steps being taken to penalise those responsible for burning of garbage, leaves and plastic in the open, another main source of air pollution apart from the vehicular traffic in the nation capital.
The minister has sought a presentation report on steps that could be taken to reduce air pollution caused by open construction activity in the city.

He will take up the matter with the PWD and other departments concerned to draw up a joint comprehensive plan comprising of awareness programmes and punitive measures to check the growing sources of air pollution in the national capital.