Delhi Govt Imposes Rs 20 Lakh Fine On FICCI For Violating Pollution Norms As Smog Season Approaches

The Delhi government has slapped a Rs 20 lakh fine on the commerce body FICCI for violation of pollution norms. The steps have been taken to ensure better control of smog especially as the winter season approaches.

New Delhi: A worker operates an anti smog gun at a construction site, at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Image (PTI)

New Delhi: The Delhi government is tightening its anti-pollution norms and has charged Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Rs 20lakh fine for violating dust control norms at a demolition site on Tansen Marg here, according to an official order. A report by PTI, an official order says that the commerce body has been told to deposit the fine within 15 days. FICCI has also been directed not to restart any demolition activity till anti smog guns are installed. "The demolition waste is lying uncovered and there is no anti-smog gun. We have issued directions to stop work. If they still go ahead with it, legal and financial action will be taken against the contractor," said Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai in the report.

Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) imposes a fine of Rs 20 lakh on FICCI for violation of environmental regulations. FICCI instructed by DPCC not to carry out or restart any demolition activity without installing the anti-smog gun at their Tansen Marg, Delhi project site. pic.twitter.com/8WGpoMp55x

— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2020

The Delhi government has upped their ante against pollution this winter as every year the city is choked due to thick smog. In order to deal with extreme situations, the Arvind Kejriwal government has now placed anti-smoke guns at various construction sites in order and has made it mandatory for demolition sites larger than 20,000 square meters. "There are 39 sites having 20,000 sqm of area in Delhi. Six of these sites do not have anti-smog guns and have been told to stop work," said Rai. He also added, "Similar action will be taken against contractors at large sites violating dust control norms despite several warnings. No one will be spared." The government has also inaugurated ' a green war room' in the Delhi Secretariat to keep an eye on the measures to control pollution. A PTI report says that there are 13 pollution hotpots  in the city- Okhla Phase-II, Dwarka, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Narela, Mundka, Punjabi Bagh, Wazirpur, Rohini, Vivek Vihar, Anand Vihar, R K Puram, and Jahangirpuri.