Building waste hurting Gurgaon’s lungs
GURGAON: With air pollution rampant and visibility in major parts of Gurgaon almost down to zero, residents have voiced concern over the worsening air quality in the city.
Citing the increase of pollutants in the air, residents of several upscale condominiums in the city have called for the urgent intervention of the pollution control department and the district administration in reversing the steadily declining air quality in the city.
At present, the city’s PM 2.5 level is more than 100 µg/m³, way above the permissible limit of 60 µg/m³.
Residents claimed construction material are being dumped along Golf Course Extension Road, Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway and Old Delhi-Gurgaon Road, driving pollution fears and putting people living roadside at risk of illnesses.
They said similar dumping of building materials is also fairly rampant in sectors, 4, 5 and Palam Vihar Road.
“Most city roads lack shoulders and as a result, motorists drive through mud mounds on both sides of the road sending loose dust flying in the air. With each car that drives by, the volume of suspended dust particles in the air goes up manifold. I sent an email to the pollution department and the district administration voicing concern over rising air pollution in the city,” Ruchika Sethi Takkar, a resident of Nirvana Country, said adding that the pollution department does not have any stations to measure the air quality in the area.
Residents said the rising pile of construction and demolition waste in the area has compounded the problem.
“I am worried about my family, as we are breathing toxic air in Sector 56,” Choden Krishna, a resident of Sector 56, said.
Ankita Bansal Garg, another city resident, said, “I live in Unitech Escape. Air pollution and the rising volume of dust in the air is a burning issue in the area and we have no idea how to deal with this problem.”
The area where the housing in located is close to upscale condominiums such as Vatika City, Nirvana Country, M3M Golf Estate, M3M Cosmopolitan, M3M Urbana, Emaar Marbella, Ireo Victory Valley and Ireo Uptown.
Residents said they have tough time driving during the morning and evening, as suspended dust particles in the air reduces visibility to alarming levels.
“I was driving to Sohna from my MG Road office on Thursday and it was difficult to see anything because of all the dust in the area,” Rajan Munjal, a resident of Ardee City, said.
Officials in the Haryana State Pollution Control Board claimed that they are taking all necessary measures to curb air pollution.
“We are monitoring the air quality of the city and have also asked all contractors and workers to ensure that water is sprinkled on loose sand and other building materials to reduce air pollution,” JB Sharma, regional officer, HSPCB, said.
We are monitoring the air quality and have also asked all contractors and workers to ensure that water is sprinkled on loose sand and other building material to reduce air pollution. JB SHARMA, regional officer, HSPCB