NMRC fined Rs 2 lakh for keeping waste outside Aqua Line stations

NOIDA: The UP Pollution Control Board has fined Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) Rs 2 lakh for keeping construction waste uncovered outside several stations of the upcoming Aqua Line.
Anil Singh, regional officer at UPPCB, said the notices were sent over the past two weeks after inspections. Some of the stations where construction waste was found were Sectors 143, 144, 145 and 148. “We found that construction waste was leading to dust pollution at several points. We have served four notices of Rs 50,000 each. We are waiting for an explanation from NMRC,” Singh said.

NMRC officials said they were yet to receive the notices. “We are not directly involved with construction work. The notices have still not reached us, so we can’t comment on them at present,” said PD Upadhay, executive director at NMRC.

On Friday, air quality breached the ‘very poor’ mark in Noida and Greater Noida. While Noida recorded an AQI of 362, Greater Noida stood at 367.

But despite the alarming pollution levels, reports of garbage burning have been rampant in the twin cities. Fires at three dumping grounds were doused on Friday. “We were told by local residents that the fires were being lit by children playfully. But at one spot, we found contractors of Greater Noida Authority themselves setting fire to a garbage dump. We have served notices to them,” a UPPCB officer said.

There have been reports of garbage fire also at Surajpur and Ecotech areas.