First off the block, but Gurgaon struggling to implement graded pollution-control plan

GURGAON: The district administration may have rolled out the graded response action plan (GRAP) on October 1, earlier than all other NCR cities, but civic authorities are grappling to implement it. TOI conducted a reality check on Wednesday and found various measures under GRAP were not being followed.

For starters, fake Pollution Under Control (PUC) centres continue to run in the city, while only six cases of waste burning have been reported by MCG in October. So far, traffic management and mechanised sweeping has proven ineffective.

TOI spotted six PUC centres — on Rajiv Chowk, near Guru Dronacharya Metro station, near DT Mega Mall on Golf Course Road, near Jharsa Chowk on NH-8, in Sector 58 on Golf Course (extension) Road and in Sector 56 — that provide fake certificates to vehicles, even though they are not equipped to check pollution.

The norms stipulate a PUC centre should have a cabin of minimum size 2.5m in length, 2m in width and 2m in height, to place the analyzer and computer hardware. The cabin should be designed to protect the system from heat, sunlight and rain, and should be ventilated. The rickshaws/vans, out of which these fake 'centres' are operated, definitely don't meet any norms.

The civic authorities have also failed to keep a strict vigil on waste burning. MCG officials said the mandatory Rs 5,000 penalty has been imposed in six cases so far in October. In 10 other cases, the offenders could not be traced. "Though we have dedicated teams patrolling each zone, we aren't equipped to deal with waste burning. While satellite imagery should be used to provide alerts, we depend on complaints from residents. In most such cases, offenders escapes by the time we reach the spot," said a MCG staffer, requesting anonymity.

Regarding construction norms, green activists allege they are flouted daily. "Every day, I see trucks carrying building material without cover. Few sites have dust barriers, and there's no sprinkling done to settle the dust. Construction waste is dumped on the roadside and in the Aravalis. If you go to the MCG office near Hero Honda Chowk, you'll find clouds of dust. Why have authorities failed to nab these offenders?" said activist Vivek Kamboj.

HSPCB regional officer Jai Bhagwan said a team has been assigned to inspect construction sites. "We've sent showcause notices to three developers and carry out regular inspections, including along NH-8. Just on Wednesday, we inspected sites on Golf Course Road and Golf Course (extension) Road and gave warnings to all developers to follow norms," he said.

Gurgaon has two mechanised sweepers that are used on a few arterial roads — Vikas Marg, Sohna road and Golf Course Road. An MCG official said, "These machines can only be used on a well-built road. It's advised not to use them on potholed roads, as the machines can break down, besides causing more dust pollution." What he left unsaid is that most of Gurgaon's roads are potholed.

EPCA chairman Bhure Lal called Gurgaon an important site in the fight against NCR air pollution. "It's important for Gurgaon and Faridabad to follow norms. If we get photographic evidence of any violations, we'll get strict with the implementing agencies," he told TOI.

Despite several attempts, the deputy commissioner could not be reached for his comment.