Fine DDA for debris mound on its land: Gahlot to DPCC

debris and garbage was dumped in violation of the environment laws.

“The minister (environment) has directed DPCC to prosecute DDA, if the construction waste lying in the area was not removed within the stipulated period,” said a statement issued by the Delhi government on Thursday.

The land belongs to the DDA. It is located behind Karkardooma metro station, which is close to Anand Vihar Inter-state Bus Terminal (ISBT) — one of 13 major pollution hotspots in the city, it said.

“On numerous complaints from residents of east Delhi on dust pollution, I visited a big parcel of land owned by DDA today, near Anand Vihar terminal and Karkardooma metro station.. …dumping of C&D waste on large-scale found. ₹1 crore penalty already imposed by DPCC on October 22,” Gahlot tweeted on Thursday.

The pollution watchdog had issued a notice to the DDA on October 22, after it inspected the site on October 16, asking it to remove the debris within 72 hours. The DPCC had also imposed a penalty of ₹1 crore on DDA as environment damage compensation (EDC) for failing to check dust emissions from the site. The penalty amount was to be deposited with the DPCC within seven days.

“Delhi has been reeling under air pollution above the prescribed limits. The particulate matter (PM) levels have been spiking over the past few days and need to be curbed. The minister has also asked the district magistrate of the area to step up vigil to ensure no such debris or waste is allowed to be dumped in the area again,” it said.

DDA said they were not aware of the issue and would comment after examining the notice.