Central Vista work following non-polluting norms: Centre to SC

The SC, while hearing a plea seeking steps to rein in air pollution in Delhi earlier this week, had asked the Centre to explain what it was doing about construction activities in areas in its jurisdiction. Responding to this, the affidavit said “construction activities at present being undertaken by the central government are in two parts…new Parliament building and Central Vista avenues which are projects of national importance” and “Metro Rail, Railways, Airports, ISBTs (Interstate Bus Terminals) etc”.

It added that apart from these, “all other construction activities being carried out by CPWD (Central Public Works Department)…in Delhi and NCR Region, as per the CPWD Report, were stopped in compliance with” directions of the ‘Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas’.

To tackle rising pollution levels, the Commission had on November 16 directed NCR states and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi to ensure to stop construction and demolition activities till November 21. It, however, exempted work in connection with railway services/ stations, metro rail corporation services including stations, airports and ISBTs besides national security/defence related activities/projects of national importance from purview of the ban “subject to strict compliance of the C&D Waste Management Rules and dust control norms including compliance with the directions of the Commission”.

Rai directs DPCC to issue notice to CPWD

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to issue notices to the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) for continuing construction at the Central Vista site despite the ban and for violating dust mitigation norms.

Rai visited the Central Vista site on Wednesday for an inspection, reportedly after having received complaints about construction progressing at the site despite a ban on construction and demolition activities.

The DPCC has been directed to issue two separate notices — one for the construction ban violation, and another for violation of anti-dust guidelines. The CPWD will be required to respond to these notices by Thursday, and further action is likely to be taken depending on the response, according to Rai.

“We were repeatedly getting calls informing us that despite the ban, construction activities were in full swing at the Central Vista site,” Rai said. “Keeping this violation in mind, we are issuing a notice to CPWD to ask them on what basis and whose orders are they still operating,” he said, adding there were “blatant violations” of 14-point dust mitigation guideline that construction sites are expected to adhere to.

A senior DPCC official, however, said that they would not “jump the gun” and issue a notice. No major issues were detected at the site, which had anti-smog guns in place, he said. A legal opinion was sought on the re-imposition of the construction ban by the Supreme Court, he said. Re-imposition of the orders of the CAQM would mean projects of national importance are exempted from the ban. No notice had been issued till around 8.15 pm on Wednesday.