CPCB asks NHAI why it shouldn't be fined Rs 1 crore -Ritam Halder

-The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Central Pollution Control Board has sent a showcause notice to National Highways Authority of India for flouting construction and demolition waste management rules at two sites — Delhi-Meerut Expressway, UP Gate to Dasna, Ghaziabad, and around the Ghazipur landfill.

NHAI has been asked to explain “why the project activities, including all civil works and construction and demolition activities, should not be stopped at (the) above site” and why “an environmental compensation of Rs 1 crore should not be levied on the account of causing damage to the environment”.

The notice, issued by CPCB chairman SPS Parihar, points out that while passing through the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, it is observed that “air polluting activities and improper management of waste are taking place again due to negligence on the part of NHAI. This is contributing significantly to ambient particulate-matter pollution.”

At the DDA land in front of the Ghazipur vegetable market (NHAI is custodian of the land), CPCB inspections found out that C&D waste or malba was being disposed of openly without following the norms.

 

“Land-owning agencies will be accountable for any open dumping or burning field and will be penalised as per NGT orders. All construction agencies to adhere to the instructions of NGT with respect to C&D waste. Any violation noticed may be strictly dealt as per law or NGT orderssic),” the notice, a copy of which is with TOI, pointed out.

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