PPCB slaps ₹84-lakh penalty on Zirakpur builder for violations

MOHALI: The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has imposed a fine of ₹84 lakh for environmental violations on Barnala Builders who own the commercial project Maya Magnesia in Singhpura village of Zirakpur.

The violations include non renewal of no objection certificate (NOC) related to pollution and disposal of septic tank waste, it has been learnt.

The PPCB said that the NOC for pollution acquired by the builder on November 23, 2016, for development of the four acre project was valid only up to November 22, 2017, with certain conditions. But the builder, despite show cause notices, had not applied for extension to the Board under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of pollution ) Act, 1981.

PPCB officials who had visited the site in January detected a number of violations. Six borewells were being used to extract groundwater to stop the outflow/ seepage in the basement area. Domestic effluent generated from the washroom used by 120 labourers was being discharged in a septic tank (installed by the builder in 2018) and thereafter lifted by using a tanker to be disposed of at an undisclosed location, in violation of the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the conditions of the expired NOC.

“The act and conduct of the promoter company relating to the disposal of wastewater of the septic tank to an unknown place by using a tanker during the period from July 1, 2018, up to the date of making the statement on January 21, 2020, is a serious violation of the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, in the furtherance of degrading the environment,” a PPCB statement said.

The board asked the builder to deposit the fine within 15 days, failing which necessary action would be taken to recover it.

Even after repeated attempts, however, Satish Jindal, managing director of the project did not respond to calls or messages.

‘NO LIQUOR, NO DINE-IN’

With SOPS also banning serving of liquor, several restaurants in city’s major eating hubs — Sectors 7 and 26 — will keep their doors closed.

“Liquor service is part of the ambience offered by restaurants. Absence of liquor sale will certainly affect their earnings,” said Gupta.

Manager of Great Bear, Sector 26, Debdip Chaterjee said he will be opening shop only after the sale of alcohol was allowed. Ovenfresh in Sector 7 will be closed for two weeks, as it was being renovated, said Rohit Kumar, its proprietor.

However, Social in the same sector and Swagath Restaurant and Bar in Sector 26 will reopen, offering food and non-alcoholic beverages, said Manish Goel, one of the directors of both outlets.

In Sector 35, a hub of hotels and fast food joints, most eateries will continue only home delivery and takeaway services. Nikhil Mittal, director of Nik Bakers, Sector 35, said they will offer items on their menu through takeaway only. “We are looking at how the administration enforces the SOP before resuming dine-in services,” he said.

The two outlets of Indian Coffee House in Sector 17 and 36 will follow suit, said manager Ramesh Dutt. “We will wait for a few days for clarity before we open up completely,” he said.

FAST FOOD CHAINS KEEP FINGERS CROSSED

Some fast food chains are also unlikely to offer dine-in services for now. A senior official from one of the leading fast-food brands in the city, requesting anonymity, said, “All states are going to have different SOP for dine-in restau

rants. The management will go over all these before taking a decision on starting dine-ins.”

However, chief marketing officer of KFC India, Moksh Chopra said they will be returning with a limited menu. “We have modified our restaurant design to ensure social distancing. A limited menu will allow us to work with a smaller team. We aim to provide contactless dining experience to our patrons,” he said.

ELANTE RESTAURANTS TO STAY CLOSED

At Elante Mall, due to impasse

over rent between the tenants and the mall owners, the restaurant owners have decided to stay shut on Monday.

Sunveer Sondhi, proprietor of Pyramid and head of National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), Chandigarh, said, “It is incredibly difficult for restaurant owners to pay the rent for April and May when the mall was closed. We are instead asking for a revenue share model based on footfall.”

He said a meeting between the tenants and the mall authorities was scheduled on Monday.

HOTELS TO RETURN PARTIALLY

Some hotels will resume business on Monday, while others will return after ensuring adherence of the SOP.

“The hotels reopening on Monday will follow the SOP and rent out only 50% rooms to maintain social distancing,” said president of the Chandigarh Restaurants and Hotels Association, Arvinder Pal Singh, who is also the proprietor of Hotel Metro in Sectors 35 and 43.

General manager of JW Marriott, Sector 35, Ramandeep Marwah said they were ready to serve patrons. “Hotel rooms are available for booking and the dining area of restaurants will also be thrown open to public while adhering to the SOP for hotels and restaurants.”

General manager of Hotel Lalit at IT Park, Imit Arora confirmed they won’t be reopening yet. “We first need to train our staff to follow the SOP released by the administration, and will return after that,” he said.

POLYCARBONATE SHEETS AT GURDWARAS

At the Sector 19 gurdwara, the management has placed polycarbonate sheets for people kneeling before the Guru Granth Sahib.

“Unlike carpets, the sheet can be regularly cleaned with sanitiser. Also, we will continue to use disposable meal boxes for the langar,” said Tejinder Pal Singh, president of the Sector 19 gurdwara committee.

The Sector 8 gurdwara has decided to do away with langar and prasad for now. “We will also stop water supply to taps so that

ONE PERSON PER BENCH AT CHURCHES

Father Premanand, president of the Tricity Churches Association, said there will be a limit on the people allowed inside a church at a time. “Also, only one person will be allowed to sit per bench and children below 10 and seniors over 65 years won’t be allowed entry,” he said, adding that social distancing will be ensured during the Holy Communion .

VIOLATIONS INCLUDE NON-RENEWAL OF NOC RELATED TO DISPOSAL OF SEPTIC TANK WASTE

INDIVIDUAL MATS AT MOSQUES

At mosques, devotees will have to bring their own prayer mats. Maulana Ajmal Khan, head of Jama Masjid in Sector 20, said, “We will ensure all directions in the SOP are followed. Devotees must wear face masks. Alcoholbased hand sanitisers will be provided at the entrance, but not kept inside.”