The current air pollution in Delhi-NCR has left Sumit Dookia completely dejected. He is an Assistant Professor of Environment at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha Universty.
On Wednesday morning, Dookia captured some photographs of a mechanical sweeper (vacuum cleaners) dumping dust on the side of the roads. The mechanical sweeper belonged to the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC).
Dookia shared his concerns that the dust dumped in the open areas would again be spread in the environment. He said, “This is illegal and harmful to health. The dumping is being done by SDMC trucks and the other vehicles. The area is turning into next Ghazipur or Bhalasva landfill site.”
Dookia also informed that the dumping of building construction materials are being done behind the dhalao of SDMC.
“The dhalao is just an eyewash. The dumping is being done at the backside. The sad part is that the dumping is killing the planned vegetation and polluting the whole area. On one hand, the government is planning to stop all kind of constructions from tomorrow but on the other hand the government agencies are violating the norms,” he added.
The dust pollution has reached alarming levels in the whole city and community people are raising their voices against it. Civic bodies are not taking any initiatives at the ground level.
A social activist and resident of Crescent Apartments, Madhu Dagar visited that area where the debris and dust are being dumped. He said that he will post about the callous approach of civic bodies on Twitter and send it to LG also.
Madhu said, “The fine dust is dangerous for people of any age and especially kids. I was surprised to see that SDMC is so nonchalant about this. The dumping is being done at the places where people reside. Such activities should not be tolerated by the authorities. It should be stopped immediately.”
Last year, the subject was also raised by the residents that the mechanical sweepers and vacuum cleaners were dumping the fine dust in open. But no action was taken. The same thing is happening this year as well.
President of Dwarka Forum, Rejimon CK said, “Such dumping of dust must be done in a closed space with the sprinkling of water so that it could settle. But, these norms are not being followed here. Last year, we suggested a container model with a sprinkler system.”
The Leader of the House, SDMC, Kamaljeet Sehrawat said that the subject had already been taken into serious concern and action being taken.
