Delhi government to impose stiff penalty on polluting trucks

NEW DELHI: Delhi government has announced that it will impose a stiff penalty on polluting trucks entering the capital.

It will also strictly monitor construction projects and fine those not adhering to dust control measures.

These decisions were taken in a review meeting on air pollution control measures by Satyendar Jain, coordinating minister on air pollution issues with environment minister Imran Hussain and other senior officials.

Delhi Police informed the ministers that prosecution by traffic cops is being done under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.

However, they added that orders of National Green Tribunal (NGT) to impose a challan of Rs 5,000 on polluting trucks entering Delhi can be enforced when notified by Delhi government.

The ministers directed the environment department to take up the matter with DDA and traffic police and bring the contentions of the two agencies to NGT for a final view in the matter.

NGT had also ordered a fine of Rs 5,000 on anyone found burning waste or dry leaves and Rs 50,000 on owners and builders violating dust control measures in Delhi.

During the meeting, various departments and agencies apprised the ministers about action taken against the violators of these two offences.

The revenue department, three municipal corporations, NDMC, PWD and DPCC reported that they had increased vigil, inspections and prosecution action and even claimed that incidences of burning waste has significantly come down.

The municipal corporations and other local bodies were asked to inform builders, whose plans have been sanctioned in the last two years, about complying with the MoEF's dust control norms of 2010 as per NGT's orders.

It was also decided that the environment department will apprise NGT about levy of fines in graded manner by prescribing "various slabs commensurate with the degree of offence" and seek the directions of NGT for its implementation.