CAQM inspects 125 Gurgaon stretches, pulls up MCG for dust on roads, dumped waste & open burning

In a statement, the CAQM said, “The inspection uncovered varying levels of dust accumulation across the stretches. Out of the 125 roads examined, 34 showed high visible dust levels, 58 had moderate dust, 29 recorded low dust intensity, and only four were found with no visible dust.”

Pulling up MCG, the CAQM added, “Many of the stretches with high dust were also plagued by substantial piles of MSW (municipal solid waste) and C&D (construction and demolition) waste, compounded by several cases of open burning, pointing to clear gaps in routine maintenance, waste collection, and field-level enforcement by the civic body.”

The affected areas spanned residential colonies, internal roads and arterial stretches across wards and sectors of Gurgaon.

Based on the findings, the CAQM stressed the necessity for MCG to bolster its ground-level operations and supervision, as remedial action. Key recommendations included enhancing regular mechanical sweeping, ensuring prompt removal and scientific disposal of collected dust and waste, implementing active water sprinkling and other dust-suppression techniques, and enforcing strict curbs on open burning.

When contacted, MCG Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya told The Indian Express that action has been initiated in response to CAQM’s recommendations.

“Earlier as well, it had found such issues on 17 stretches… the issues were promptly resolved and the roads cleared. We are proactively working with other agencies… With GMDA (Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority), we hold coordination meetings regarding this every Wednesday…”

According to official data, for enforcement of GRAP norms, the MCG has slapped fines worth Rs 14.10 lakh on 274 violators between December 15 and 23.

The highest number of penalties (170) were imposed on people who did not use dustbins, resulting in fines amounting to Rs 75,000. In 28 cases, fines worth Rs 1.4 lakh were imposed for burning waste. Ten violations relating to improper disposal of construction and demolition waste attracted fines worth Rs 2.6 lakh, while in three cases of dust-generating activities, fines of Rs 75,000 were imposed.

Other violations included nine instances of littering (Rs 45,000), 51 cases of construction despite restrictions (Rs 7.9 lakh), and three cases involving storage of uncovered construction material (Rs 15,000).

To control dust, MCG is operating 18 mechanised road-sweeping machines during night. Additionally, 10 truck-mounted anti-smog guns and sprinklers are spraying treated water daily on major roads and other areas, civic officials said. Water tankers are also being deployed regularly for dust suppression, they added.

Meanwhile, the city Traffic Police has issued 1,081 challans between December 14 and 21 for violations of GRAP-IV norms.