Delhi Pollution Control Committee imposes fine on major construction projects

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has served penalty notices to a number of major projects across Delhi, including the under-construction Parliament House annexe building.

According to a senior government official, the environment compensation penalty, that has been served to around 38 construction projects, is of Rs 50,000 each. These are for violating dust pollution norms.

"Eight have already paid the compensation amount. While we are awaiting for the rest to comply. Few have asked for reconsideration as per the official procedure. We will act as per law in a fair manner," the official said.

The Supreme Court, which was also issued a notice over a building complex that is coming up next to Pragati Maidan, has also asked for a review of the compensation order.

The government, in October, had empowered the SDMs and tehsildars to carry out suprise inspections of construction sites and recommend penalty against violators of laid down norms to tackle air pollution.

Earlier, they were authorised to to penalise those who burn waste in the open in pursuance to a National Green Tribunal ( NGT) order in this regard.

The NGT had in April passed a slew of directions to check air pollution caused by dust emanating from construction sites in the National Capital Region.