EPCA Chief criticize Delhi, Haryana govts over inaction on air pollution

NEW DELHI: The pollution body Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) criticised the Governments of Delhi and Haryana for not controlling burning of plastic waste as well as road and construction dust, which are major contributors in polluting the states.

Bhure Lal, EPCA Chairman asked the EPCA officials to take immediate action against the rising issue after he and few officials visited Mundka and Tikri Kalan in Delhi, and Bahadurgarh in Haryana.

“We visited areas in and around Mundka and found heaps of plastic in multiple locations and directed the municipal authorities to remove all of it. There should not be any burning of plastic at any cost”, Lal said.

Despite a ₹25 crore fine imposed on the Delhi government by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2018 for failing to stop illegal plastic markets in Tikri Kalan and nearby villages. Many such markets are still operational.

“The PWD has been directed to sprinkle water on the roads throughout the winter to control dust pollution. Also, the corporation has been asked to clear plastic scrap yards”, Arun Mishra, Special Secretary of Environment Department of Delhi, said.

He further said that the government is taking action against the violators and on October 13, more than ₹1 crore in fines were imposed during the inspection. The EPCA Chief also directed the Bahadurgarh District Magistrate to hand over a piece of land to the illegal scrap market running in agricultural land near Geetanjali Colony.

Lal further directed the DM, “The process of handing over land and traders building temporary structures to run the business should be completed within 15 days”.

The EPCA chief called the market as “mountains” of rubber and plastic and directed the administration to inform him about what traders are doing with the plastic that is of no use to them and to whom the plastic is being sold.