Here’s an irony that’s worth writing about: South Delhi Municipal Corporation, or SDMC, hires mechanical sweeping machines to reduce dust pollution on roads — and the dust thus gathered is dumped in the open on the sides of the roads near vacant lands, leading to dust storms of sorts!
The subject has brought to notice by some of the activists of Dwarka. They took photographs shared them on various WhatsApp groups. The gravity of the situation is clearly visible from the and video shared by the residents.
According to observers, such dumping is happening regularly at a site in Sector 20-23.
President of Dwarka Forum and a resident of Sector 22, Rjimon CK, said, “The mechanical sweeping machine empties all its dust on the side of the road in Sector 20/23 every day at around 9-9:30 am. As per contract agreement, they are being paid to dump the same at a waste recycling plant — and this is what’s happening in reality!”
He continued, “I have requested the mayor to urgently intervene. At least, make a green enclosure, and have it sprinkled with water. I did mention this to the concerned SDMC officials of the area too. Undoubtedly, mechanical sweeping is a good initiative, but if the collected dust is dumped like this, all the good work comes to naught!”
Lashing out against the casual approach of the SDMC, RTI activist Shobhit Chauhan said, “SDMC is reversing the very purpose of having mechanical sweeping machines in place. These machines were introduced so that dust is not suspended into air while sweeping the streets. Now here, these machines are releasing dust into open air, further adding to pollution. According to information, they are being paid for dumping the dust at recycling plants, but they are dumping it here in the open. This needs to be stopped immediately. Corruption is what’s eating into SDMC’s efforts. I have communicated this to everybody via Twitter, but no action has been taken till date.”
According to an RTI reply dated March 2017: In Dwarka, Link Road, Road Number 221,205, 201, Mall Road, Palam Dabri, Sector 4 and 5, Sector 6 and 10 internal roads are to be under the scheme of mechanical sweeping. The RTI also said that dust thus gathered is to be sent to a site in Okhla.
There’s even provision for penalty in the event of violation of the terms of the agreement, inside sources confirmed. However, the RTI reply does not mention any penalty.
Anurag Bahal, a resident of Shruti Apartments in Sector 7 — who has been promoting a campaign for clean air and the right to breath — said, “Sadly, most SDMC vacuum machines worsening the situation. As per the staff, they don't have enclosures to dump this fine dust. This is a serious issue and must be addressed as soon as possible”
