Construction sites increase air pollution in Lucknow
An increase in the construction work is deteriorating the air quality in the city as the orders issued by the district magistrate to ensure implementation of National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines on construction sites have gone unheeded. Also, the production of raw materials like bricks and concrete is contributing to the rising air pollution levels.On October 31, the district administration had directed the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) and UP Housing Development Board (UPHDB) to ensure the implementation of NGT guidelines on construction sites in the city. The LDA and UPHDB were roped in after UP Pollution Control Board cited shortage of staff for not being able to perform the task effectively. NGT norms specify that construction sites must control dust by raising barricading around the sites, mounting green dust barrier sheets to prevent dust going in the air and sprinkling dust suspension of fine water sprays in air at sites. According to the LDA, construction activities including residential and commercial have increased by 33.5% in the city over the past two years. Also, construction work by private real estate development has seen a massive jump. According to the Lucknow Chapter of Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) the construction of private apartments, flats and building has increased nearly 300% in two years. However, in a reality check, media found the construction sites at Jankipuram, Matiyari, Chinhat, Niralanagar and Aashiana violating the NGT norms. None of the construction sites were barricaded or covered with dust barrier. No green nets were seen at any construction sites to prevent dust from escaping into atmosphere. Similarly, there was no sprinkling of water on construction material at any site. As per rules, a penalty can be imposed from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000 for violation of NGT guidelines at construction sites. Chief engineer of LDA Indu Singh said, "We have imposed fine on two construction sites near Aashiana and Gomtinagar. Whenever we get any complaint about violation of rules at construction sites we make sure that contractors get punished and are penalised." Chief engineer UPHDB AK Shukla, said, "We didn't get any orders from the district administration in this regard." Additional district magistrate, Anil Kumar said, "We had given orders to LDA and UP Housing Development Board for regular checks at construction sites. We will take a report from them at end of this month."
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