An inspection team led by Delhi Environment minister Imran Hussain Friday found "serious violations" in norms for dust control at the Pragati Maidan redevelopment site, following which the minister directed pollution control authorities to take strict action, the city government said.
The team undertook a surprise inspection at the ongoing construction sites of ITPO at Pragati Maidan, where a new International Exhibition cum Conventional Centre, Executive Accommodation blocks and a tunnel is being constructed, it said.
"The team found a number of serious violations of dust control measures at the Pragati Maidan redevelopment site, following which the minister directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to take strict action against the violating agency," the environment department said in a statement Friday.
Hussain also directed that no construction site should be left uncovered in Delhi, it said.
The Air Quality Index of Delhi was recorded in 'very poor' category Friday by the DPCC with an AQI of 361 in the evening.
Sub Divisional Magistrate of South Delhi, officials of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, PWD, DPCC and the Delhi Police accompanied the minister during the site inspection.
The team also observed several discrepancies during the visit, including "blatant violation of Environmental Clearance (EC) conditions", the statement said.
"There is visible, clear cut negligence on part of contractors with regard to Construction and Demolition Waste Rules 2016 and orders of Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal on air pollution and GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan)," it said.
The team also found that stacks of building materials viz; sand and excavated boulders were "kept uncovered and in dry condition" causing dust pollution in the area.
"All construction sites were without mat fencing to trap the dust. All mat covering (green sheets) arrangements were insufficient to mitigate the quantum of dust being generated from the construction sites. Also, approach and internal roads were full of dust due to water not being sprinkled," the statement said.
Besides, trucks were found to carry construction material "uncovered", thus emanating dust in the environment, it said.
Hussain directed both the contractors and PWD officials to take measures for prevention and control of road dust.
He also directed them to take measures for prevention and control of air pollution arising out of construction and demolition activities.
The minister directed that development agencies and contractors should ensure that all construction sites should adhere to guidelines of environmental clearance to avoid any dust emission from construction activities.
The minister has decided to regularly inspect all areas in Delhi to oversee the implementation of GRAP and visit sites where there is likelihood of air pollution.
The inter-departmental joint inspection team has been constituted by the Delhi government in vie of the dip in air quality.
A few days ago, Hussain had chaired a multi-stakeholder meet and directed officials to be in "war mode" to combat pollution in the city.
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