The pollution department of Greater Noida has issued a show cause notice and imposed a fine of Rs 80 lakh on seven builders for violating the water act. The department has taken action under Section 33A of the Water Act.
This is for the first time, the pollution department has taken action against the builders of Greater Noida for violating the Water Act. Previously, the action was taken against industries. According to an officer of the department, the societies were dumping domestic sewage water directly into the drains without treating it with STP.
The water from the drains was falling into the Yamuna River. The regional pollution officer took the sample and tested it in the lab where he found a high pH level, oil grease, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solids, dissolved solids, and other elements. The regional officer has written a letter to the Chief Pollution Officer for action and also attached a copy of the investigation report.
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The Water Act (Prevention and Control of Pollution) came into force in 1974. It was enforced to control water pollution and maintain its quality in the country.
To prevent water pollution last year, NGT ordered action should be taken against the builders to stop using underground water. On behalf of the district administration, the committee issued notices to 63 builders, and after an investigation, a penalty was also imposed. Meanwhile, a case of untreated sewage water being dumped in the drain came to light.
The pollution department has observed that VVIP Homes, Arihant Arden, Novel Valley, Lucky Palm, Buland Elevates, Cherry County, Apex Golf Avenue, and PanchsheelHighnish did not install treatment plants to treat sewage water between February 14 and February 28.
Radheshyam, the senior officer of the pollution department, has informed us that a letter has been written to the headquarters for action against the seven builders. People are staying in society, so we can't seal it. So we instructed the other department not to give any certificates to these builders for any projects until they obtained a NOC from the pollution department to treat sewage water.
Fines imposed on the builders are
VVIP Homes: Rs 15 lakh
Arihant Arden: Eight lakh 62 thousand 500 rupees
Novel Valley: Rs 9 lakh
Lucky Palm: 10 lahks 50 thousand rupees.
