The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on Panchsheel builder for not following the National Green Tribunal (NGT)’s guidelines on pollution.
UPPCB officials had visited Panchsheel Greens, a high-rise in Noida Extension, on September 13 after receiving complaints from the residents that the builder was flouting the NGT guidelines.
According to a UPPCB official, the NGT guidelines clearly mention that a realtor, individual or contractor, needs to abide by certain rules while undertaking any construction work such as protection of vegetation around the site, sprinkling of water to settle the dust and covering of debris with a sheet to prevent the dust from spreading around. Noida News
During the inspection, it was found that the construction work was still going on in three towers of the society. The construction work on the two towers has nearly finished but it has just started on the third tower and the builder has not been using any sheet to prevent the dust from spreading around and no water sprinkling is being done at the site, said the officials.
The builder has been using two diesel generators, placed just 50 m away from the residential tower. The officers also found that the chimney to emit smoke coming out of these generators hasn’t been installed by the builder because of which the residents’ health has been affected.
Vikas Kumar, a resident of Panchsheel Greens, told City Spidey that because of the increased dust and air pollution levels in the area, the residents have been facing respiratory problems.
A month ago, Kumar had complained to the UPPCB asking them to take action against the builder. “During the inspection, the UPPCB officials had asked the builder’s staff to stop violating the NGT norms but they did not listen,” Kumar added.
