SDMC orders stop on Pragati Maidan construction

NEW DELHI: As GRAP kicked in, enforcement agencies set out to different parts of the city to fine violators, with a special focus on dust pollution at construction sites. On Sunday, the south corporation had issued a notice to NBCC to stop construction and demolition work at Pragati Maidan as it was allegedly violating NGT guidelines.
The Supreme Court-mandated EPCA on Monday confirmed that work at Pragati Maidan had been stopped. “Our understanding is that the construction activity was stopped due to no action being initiated on the part of NBCC, even after reminders by SDMC. We are only in the first stage of GRAP, which includes strict enforcement of dust-control measures, and while stopping of construction activity is not required, agencies can do that if a site violates the norms repeatedly,” Sunita Narain, member of EPCA and director general at CSE, said.

EPCA officials said that, at present, no other site had seen construction work being stopped. However, the Kidwai Nagar project was also under the scanner. “We have received multiple complaints that dust norms are not being followed there. The project was supposed to be completed last year and NBCC had assured us that dust violations will not be a problem this winter,” Narain said.

According to NGT guidelines, construction material and debris are supposed to be covered with tarpaulin while the site itself should have wind breakers on all sides. The guidelines also state that trucks carrying material should be suitably covered and the area for debris storage physically demarcated.

SDMC issued an advisory to NBCC on Friday, warning it against violations of NGT guidelines. An SDMC official said: “We issued an advisory first but noted violations and, on Sunday, we issued directions to NBCC to stop construction activity.”

The official added: “A communication has been issued to stop construction activity as NBCC ignored earlier request in this regard and (violated) NGT guidelines. NBCC has been asked to produce a sanction plan of the project issued by any competent authority, or obtain the same from SDMC. The order to stop construction will, however, remain alive till the air quality level is brought to a satisfactory level.”

Despite repeated attempts, NBCC did not respond to TOI’s queries.