DPCC issues closure notices to illegal units in Mayapuri within 24 hours

NEW DELHI:  The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has issued a closure notice to 41 highly polluted industrial units of Mayapuri, west Delhi. In its notice DPCC ordered closure of all the industrial units operating illegally within 24 hours. DPCC notice claimed that 41 units were allegedly running without any authorisation. All units marked as ‘red’ and ‘orange’ are considered as highly polluting industrial units.  

A senior DPCC official said, “During a survey last month, 41 units were found operating without DPCC’s permission. They didn’t obtain the consent to operate which is mandatory under the Air and Water Act.” The units also didn’t have the authorisation required under the hazardous waste management rules, he added.

The owners of the units went to Delhi High Court on June 20, 2019, to file against DPCC notice. Delhi HC is likely to hear on the matter on June 21, 2019. Earlier, in April, authorities sealed few of the polluting units.

Ramesh Kumar Gupta, general secretary of the Mayapuri Industrial Welfare Association, said, “How can an industrial unit, where dozens of employees work every day, be shut within 24 hours? Some of the units, which have been asked to close down, have already applied to the DPCC for obtaining the consent certificate.” According to senior DPCC officials, no one has paid penalty till date. The units applied for the certificates only after DPCC charged penalties of Rs 2 lakh to Rs 6 lakh on them. The DPCC has also fined 81 other polluting units ₹2 lakh each