: The Delhi Government has initiated steps to review the action taken by the Sub-Divisional Magistrates for prevention of burning of leaves, garbage and plastic in the open. It will also examine the details of parks falling in their respective jurisdictions.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Environment Minister Asim Ahmed Khan addressed a meeting here, over the weekend, highlighting the steps being taken to check air pollution caused by the burning of garbage as well as dust released by construction activities.
Nodal Officers of local bodies and Delhi Development Authority and District Magistrates were also invited for the meeting.
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According to official sources, the SDMs said they had started inspection of parks and sites where there was a likelihood of leaves and garbage being burnt. Mr. Sisodia said all-out efforts were required, including more inspections for preventing instances of burning in open spaces.
Mr. Sisodia expressed concern over the fact that the three municipal corporations, which cover majority of the areas of Delhi, had still not made serious efforts for prevention of burning and recovery of compensation from the violators, even though the majority of parks fall within their jurisdiction.
The Deputy Chief Minister asked the municipal corporations and other local bodies to display helpline numbers for the public to enable them to lodge complaints against burning of material in the open at various places. Helpline numbers will also be provided to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee so that it can upload them on its website.
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The Environment Department informed that the DPCC was responsible for checking emission of dust from construction activities at the sites having more than 20,000 sq. metre built-up area.
The DPCC has so far issued notice and guidelines to 172 owners and builders for violating the norms for controlling of dust. For construction on the sites for the built-up area measuring less than 20,000 sq. metres, it was informed that municipal corporations were responsible for checking pollution.
Mr. Sisodia directed all the SDMs to visit the sites falling under their jurisdiction from the list of 172 sites, for which the DPCC has also issued notices and guidelines.
The Deputy Chief Minister affirmed that the efforts for enforcement of orders of the National Green Tribunal needed to be accelerated, as they were in the interest of health and safety of citizens of the Capital. He said strict proceedings should be initiated against violators.
Addressing the meeting, Mr. Khan said all the land owning agencies and departments should give wide publicity for informing the public at large about the ban orders of the NGT, and also inform it about action against the violators.
The NGT had recently issued specific directions for the ban on burning of leaves, garbage and plastic in the open, and instructed the land owning agencies as well as the State Government to impose and recover compensation from the violators.
The Green Court had also asked for the provision of pits in the parks for proper composting of leaves.
The DPCC has issued notice and guidelines to 172 owners and builders for violating the norms for controlling of dust