NEW DELHI: Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has issued 1,264 challans against erring sites from April 1 to Oct 24, a significant proportion of which was done this month after the GRAP regulations came into force. MCD has also imposed environmental compensation amounting to approximately Rs 2.4 crore on these sites for non-adherence to the prescribed norms.
These sites include those measuring more or less than 500 square metres.
MCD has said that between Oct 1 and Oct 15, it has sanctioned 16,375 building plans. Of these, 398 were for plots measuring more than 500 square metres.
“While action for building norm violation is taken throughout the year, after the implementation of GRAP norms in Oct, our teams intensified the action further. The teams issued 50 challans for plots above 500 sqm and 240 challans for plots smaller than 500 sqm in area from Oct 1 to 24. In comparison, from April 1 to Sept 30, there were 62 challans issued for plots more than 500 sqm in area and 974 for plots less than 500 sqm in area. These figures reflect how aggressively teams are working on the ground after the implementation of GRAP,” an official said.
Further, the department imposed environmental compensation of Rs 2.4 crore from April to Oct 2024, and this included compensation of Rs 65.9 lakh imposed from Oct 1-24 on plots of all sizes. Of the total compensation imposed, the amount realised by MCD till Sept 30 was Rs 12.6 lakh.
“The building department has been given directions to ensure that the 14 anti-construction norms issued by the DPCC for construction sites are adhered to. The idea is to mitigate any source of pollution in Delhi,” the official said.
The 14 norms included erection of a high tin wall around the construction site to prevent dust pollution, installation of anti-smog guns at sites above 5,000 sqm area, covering C&D areas and buildings with tarpaulin or nets, vehicles transporting construction materials must be cleaned and have their wheels washed before leaving the site, vehicles ferrying construction material must be fully covered, and vehicles transporting the construction material must be stored only at designated locations, with no storage allowed on roadsides, among others.
The anti-dust campaign, which began on Oct 7, will run till Nov 7, according to Delhi govt. Usually, the campaign is extended beyond its last date every year. This year, 523 teams have been formed, including officials from 13 departments. These teams are inspecting various sites across Delhi and acting against the violations. All teams have been instructed to conduct continuous inspections.
“MCD is also issuing fines in areas where necessary and will take further action if required. We have installed 20 anti-smog guns at C&D plants and landfills, while 15 anti-smog guns have been installed at high-rise MCD buildings. Further, 32 anti-smog guns have also been placed at construction sites,” mayor Shelly Oberoi said on Friday.
