Imran Hussain raps civic bodies, DDA for not taking action on air pollution

Multi-agency coordination on air pollution continues to elude the national Capital with action against open burning of waste and violation of construction norms not showing any substantial jump.

Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain, who reviewed the drive against pollution here on Monday, rapped agencies including the civic bodies and DDA for not intensifying their action, especially against those indulging in open burning of waste.

However, the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) and South Delhi Municipal Corporation’s (SDMC) drive against dust pollution has seen an upswing with the bodies imposing 441 and 741 penalties respectively in the last one month.

But there has been next to nil action against open burning of leaves or garbage cutting across agencies, prompting Hussain to express “dissatisfaction” as many have been indulging in such practices.

Special Secretary (Environment) also directed the Department of Revenue to countercheck the “nil report” submitted by DDA.

Moreover, the Environment Department has received only two ‘action taken’ reports from nodal officers of these agencies as against 247 complaints forwarded to them by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.