All builders will have to install anti-smog guns at large construction sites by October, failing which penal action may be taken, authorities said on Friday. An anti-smog gun is an automatic water-sprinkling device which helps reduce dust pollution.
The Supreme Court had, on January 13, made it compulsory for all projects which require an environment clearance from the state and central governments and which have a built-up area of more than 20,000 sqm, including excavation and other dust generating activities, to install anti-smog guns to control local dust pollution.
Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) officials said the order is part of the preventive measures being taken for the winter “pollution” season in NCR that starts from October, as per the Supreme Court directive in January. The rule is also applicable to state and central government projects. The board will carry out a compliance check at all construction sites for anti-smog guns, officials said.
“We have started working on our winter pollution control plan. The graded response action plan (GRAP) rules are implemented by October when the smog season starts, so we are now taking stock of all the large construction sites where this rule has to be implemented,” Praveen Kumar, regional officer of UPPCB-Noida, said.
A”ll large projects, including state and central government ones, will have to install anti-smog guns. Non-compliance will attract fines,” he added.
The department is also working on ensuring compliance of the pollution control norms, as per the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules of 2016, at all large construction sites where work is in progress, officials said. The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) enforced GRAP rules for controlling pollution during the smog season is activated in October every year in NCR.
The UPPCB on Friday also instructed Noida Authority officials to control dust pollution in Sector 51, where the latter is currently building an underpass. “We have carried out an inspection of the site, they have anti-smog guns, but there is mud piled up. The site will have to be covered with a green net. We have asked them to use the anti-smog guns to prevent local pollution,” Kumar said.
The SC had directed anti-smog guns to be installed in NCR at large construction sites, road construction stretches, excavation sites, large parking sites and during demolition activities to prevent a build-up of PM 10.
A member of Credai-NCR said they would comply with the UPPCB order to control dust pollution at large construction projects.