Since Monday, 141 people penalised for burning waste

Delhi government teams have penalised over 140 people found burning waste like dry leaves in the open, a major source of air pollution in the city.

“It was informed that till date since the formation of the teams (on November 7) comprising engineers of Delhi Pollution Control Committee and SDMs , 141 violations have been noticed and fine of Rs 38.25 lakh has been imposed by the teams,” an official statement said.

The figures show the drive against such violations gaining a slight momentum considering as only 90 waste burning violators were penalised in the three-month period between September and November by various agencies, it said.

The government also informed that vacuum cleaning of roads, a long-pending promise, will begin immediately after 15 mechanical sweeping machines are received tomorrow.

“Initially vacuum sweeping will be started with a frequency of once a week on all PWD arterial road measuring 100 feet and above and later on for other PWD Roads in phased manner,” the statement said.

A total of 54 tankers have been deployed, that are being deployed between 11 AM and 4 PM everyday, to sprinkle clean footpaths, kerbs and central verges using water jets.

The government has requested the Delhi Police for relaxation of traffic norms so that washing activities can be extended.

The National Green Tribunal had directed all land owning agencies in Delhi, to impose a fine of Rs 5,000, on persons found burning waste like leaves in the open and Rs 5 lakhs on the owners/builders who are found violating dust control measures.