News: Construction activities rampant in Gurugram despite curbs-16-11-2023
: In absence of strict implementation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) norms, unabated construction activities are going on in some HSVP sectors and construction material is lying uncovered adding to dust pollution.
Despite enforcement teams in action and issuing of challans, Haryana Shahri Vikas Parishad (HSVP) and MCG have failed to check construction activities completely making mockery of ban imposed as per GRAP norms.
During the survey in the sectors 27, 28, 42, 43, 51, 52, 56, 57 and 46, construction work is going on and building material is lying in the open. Both the authorities have power to issue challans and impose penalties but the field staff has failed to take much needed action apart from issuing handful of challans and penalties.
The maintenance of the sectors is under MCG but the approval of maps and issuing of occupation certificates of the properties in the sectors comes under the jurisdiction of HSVP department but both the departments have proved to be inactive in following the rules of GRAP
Even during the road construction work, rules are being violated by the workers who are working under the supervision of sun divisional officers and junior engineers. “There was a lot of dust on the road during cleaning but no measures were taken by the contractor for this by means of sprinkling of water. At some places, there was no monitoring or inspection on the spot even by officials. If the government departments themselves violate the rules in this manner, then how can the general public be expected to follow the rules” said Sharad Goel, a social activist who visited few spots to examine the situation and reported the matter to district administration.
Another resident from DLF 1, Deepak Kumar said “Despite the poor air quality, roads are being constructed even though this work is not so important at this moment and can be done once air quality becomes better”.
On the other hand, both the agencies have not appointed any nodal official or started 24 hour helpline like town and country planning when residents can report the matter for timely action. A senior HSVP official said “We are taking action as and when we get information through our staff or residents about any kind of GRAP violations”.
MCG on the other hand claimed that it has issued 195 challans worth Rs 23 lakh under GRAP violations since its implementation on October 1. At 105, the highest number of challans (Rs18.6 lakh) have been issued to the construction sites for not following norms, 17 challans worth Rs 2.3 lakh have been issued for unauthorised dumping of C&D waste and 43 challans of Rs 27,500 have been issued for garbage dumping.
Out of Rs 23 lakh, challans to the tune of Rs 11.9 lakh have only been issued to the construction sites not stopping work despite the ban being imposed. Moreover, the civic body has also issued 20 challans amounting to Rs 1.4 lakh for non-compliance of solid waste management (SWM) rules, 2016. Only nine challans have been issued for garbage burning after imposing a penalty of Rs 45,000 on the violators.
