New Delhi: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) alleging dust emissions due to unregulated construction and demolition activities in Delhi-NCR, prompting the tribunal to seek response from the government agencies.
A bench, headed by acting NGT chairperson Justice J. Rahim, issued notices to Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and others on the CPCB’s plea alleging non-compliance of rules on management of construction waste.
The plea moved by the CPCB said that despite notifications from the Centre, government agencies were flouting Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016.
The CPCB said it carried out surprise check of 24 construction sites during March 14 to 15 of various agencies such as NHAI, DDA, PWD, DMRC Delhi Jal Board, MTNL, state-run NBCC, Delhi Transco Limited, BSES Delhi and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd.
On the visit of the sites, the CPCB found that the respondents have failed to comply with the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016 and follow the guidelines on Environmental Management of Construction and Demolition Waste at the above-mentioned sites, it said.
Non-compliance of environment laws at these construction sites by respondents is willful default. Their conduct caused the environment of Delhi to degrade and pollute due to unchecked/uncontrolled dust emissions,” the plea, filed through advocate Alpana Poddar, said.
The CPCB, in its plea, said that inspections had shown “large number of incidents of dust emission due to construction and demolition activities”.
It said that the civic bodies had failed to take action despite construction and demolition activities taking place “within their jurisdictions”.
The board has submitted a list of sites and agencies which were found to be “repeated offenders” pertaining to the compliance with the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016.
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