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Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Gurgaon: district and block-level teams to enforce firecracker ban
In line with Supreme Court orders, the Gurgaon deputy commissioner on Wednesday announced the formation of district- and block-level teams to monitor and act against violations of the firecracker ban in Haryana. Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar said the enforcement teams would act swiftly on violations and urged residents to report any breaches. Complaints will be acknowledged within 24 hours, with block-level teams acting within 48 hours, it was stated. The district committee will monitor cases and meet monthly. Noting that the 'air pollution level remained alarming for a considerably long time,' the Supreme Court in April refused to relax the ban imposed on the manufacture, storage and sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR. It has extended the ban till December 2025 and refused to be swayed by the argument of firecracker manufacturers and sellers that it will affect their livelihood. It said the ban was limited to a small part of the country, and that there can be no question of giving green crackers any relaxation unless it is shown that the pollution caused by them is the bare minimum. The district-level committee of Gurgaon will be chaired by the deputy commissioner and includes the Haryana State Pollution Control Board's regional officer as convener, with members from nine departments, including police, fire, education, and public relations. It will oversee the ban, seizure and disposal of the crackers as well as awareness campaigns. Block-level teams will be led by subdivisional magistrates and include deputy superintendents of police, block development and panchayat officers, tehsildars, fire station officers, and block education officers. They will enforce the ban, conduct outreach, and handle complaints locally. Illegal firecrackers will be seized and disposed of under the Explosives Rules 2008, with reports submitted to the deputy commissioner and the pollution control board within 48 hours. Awareness campaigns have been instructed to use posters, pamphlets, newspapers, radio, social media, and public display boards. Schools, resident welfare associations, and market associations will be involved. The district information and public relations officer will coordinate these efforts. Residents can report violations via email (hspcbrogrn@ X ( or WhatsApp (9084220708, 9466777145).
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Gururgam's Sec 29 pubs running on diesel gensets under HSPCB scanner
Several high-profile pubs, restaurants, and clubs in Sector 29 are operating illegally, violating a host of environmental and civic norms, despite official action from authorities. The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has found multiple outlets functioning without the mandatory Consent to Operate (CTO), and many are still running on banned diesel generators despite having their electricity disconnected. According to officials, over a dozen restaurants, and pubs are in violation of the environmental norms. They added that these violations have caused them to seal six of these establishments. 'Diesel gensets are a serious pollutant, and only CNG-based backup is allowed in non-attainment cities like Gurugram. These outlets are openly flouting rules,' said an HSPCB official, requesting anonymity. Under the National Clean Air Programme, diesel gensets are barred in such zones due to their impact on air quality, officials added. Adding to the violations, several establishments are operating without occupation certificates (OC) issued by the pollution board and lack sewage treatment plants (STPs)—or have only claimed to install them on paper. According to HSPCB officials, solid and liquid waste from kitchens is being dumped in open areas including green belts, parking lots, and even stormwater drains adjacent to Leisure Valley, leading to sanitation hazards and clogged sewer say many of these establishments have been operating without an OC for at least two months. HSPCB regional officer Akansha Tanwar said the department had issued multiple notices and sealed kitchens. 'We have disconnected power in certain outlets and are planning surprise inspections. Anyone found operating illegally will face strict action under the Environmental Protection Act,' she said. 'Sector 29 has become a cesspool of unchecked dumping. You can smell the decay from the main road,' said Rajeev Yadav, a Supreme Court advocate and environmental activist. 'The administration has failed miserably. Expect boats, not cars, to enter the market once the monsoon arrives,' he added. Environmental activist Vaishali Rana echoed similar concerns. 'No pub can get CTO without an OC and an STP—yet they're all running with impunity. What example are we setting for the rest of the city?' she asked. However, pub managers claimed they were pushed into a corner. 'The electricity disconnection has crippled us. We are operating on gensets because we've had zero business for weeks,' said one manager, requesting anonymity. Another added, 'This is peak season. Give us a window to comply instead of abruptly cutting power.' Local RWAs and councillors are now demanding coordinated action. 'You can't have a lawless hospitality zone in the middle of the city,' said Anoop Singh, MCG councillor from Ward 25. 'This is a public health issue.'
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
What adds to Yamuna pollution? Toxic waste dumped by city's industrial units
Gurgaon: At several points along the Badshapur stormwater channel are industrial units that routinely release untreated wastewater into the drain, which eventually flows into Yamuna river, dumping in it a cocktail of toxic pollutants. Wastewater laced with chemicals was seen being discharged into the 29km Badshapur channel in Sector 34 of the city, and Kankrola village of Manesar on Friday. In Sector 34, a stream of wastewater was flowing steadily from industrial outlets directly into the stormwater channel. The stream was murky and emitted a pungent odour. Foam and oily residues floated on its surface, indicating the presence of untreated effluents. Along the channel, vegetation was sparse and withered – a possible effect of prolonged exposure to effluents. Some 10km away, TOI spotted illegal dyeing units operating in Kankrola village. At first glance, these appeared to be shut down, but rows of denims were hung out to dry in an open area on the rear side of the plot, which was barricaded only by iron grilles. Despite being in plain sight, spotting these units wasn't easy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Viral Video: मृत्यू कसाही येऊ शकतो! सीसीटीव्हीत कैद झाली काळीज पिळवटणारी घटना Latest News Read More A narrow, unpaved path is the only link to the main road in the village. Residents said waste dumping was not a one-off exercise. "We have seen at least 20 tankers openly dumping untreated sewage and waste illegally into the drain at the same area. It's a common practice at night and early mornings, when they think no one is watching," said Rakesh Yadav, who lives in Khandsa village in Sector 34. Suresh Kumar, who also lives in the area, said a suffocating stench hangs in the air. "The smell makes it impossible to live here. We have complained multiple times, but nothing changes. Our children are constantly falling sick, and we believe it's because of the contaminated water and air," Kumar said. Activists have voiced similar concerns for years. "The discharge of sewage directly into the Badshapur drain has been going on for years. I have made several complaints and submitted photographic evidence. But authorities are allowing violators to mix rainwater with sewage and diverting it to Najafgarh channel. This causes severe pollution of Yamuna," said Varun Gulati, a Gurgaon-based environmentalist. It isn't that authorities are unaware of untreated wastewater flowing into the channel and inevitably polluting the Yamuna. In 2019, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) had documented that at least 26 spots in the city from where sewage or industrial waste was being illegally dumped into the Badshapur channel. Haryana govt's Yamuna Action Plan, prepared in Nov 2018, also identified the Badshapur channel as one of the key sources of pollutants being dumped into the river. Yet, little has changed on the ground. In Khandsa, for instance, the industrial units have been functioning for years and there is no common effluent treatment plant in the area, Gulati said. Such plants are typically installed in industrial hubs, so multiple factories can use them to treat effluents before wastewater is released into the drains. An HSPCB official on Friday acknowledged that untreated effluents being released into the stormwater channel was a problem but added that the agency has resource constraints. "We are aware of the violations and have issued notices to several industrial units. However, we need more manpower and equipment to enforce regulations. We have shut down several polluting units in the past," the official said. Experts also pointed out that Yamuna cleanup was promised in Delhi, but the sources polluting the river weren't limited to the capital. "Yamuna pollution is an NCR-wide crisis. While the river's course through Delhi is just 2%, it receives nearly 80% of its pollution load there. Gurgaon is a significant contributor through the Badshapur nullah, which drains into the Najafgarh nullah. Therefore, the solution must be regional. Every major polluting source in the catchments of streams and nullahs joining the Yamuna across NCR would require to be addressed, to restore the river's health," Chetan Agarwal, an environment analyst, said. A day before, on Thursday, Union home minister Amit Shah said at a meeting that Yamuna was "not just a river but a symbol of faith" and urged authorities to take a "holistic approach" to clean it up. At the meeting – attended by housing and urban affairs minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Jal Shakti minister CR Patil and Delhi chief minister Rakha Gupta – Shah called for a 20-year vision and said that cleanup was a priority for the BJP govt. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
18-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Trash rack to be installed at Ghaggar river to curb waste flow
1 2 Panchkula: A trash rack will be installed inside Ghaggar river near Majri Chowk bridge to intercept and contain solid waste flowing through the river. For this, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has released an environmental compensation fund of Rs 52.27 lakh to the state irrigation and water resources department. The department will now float a tender for this. If this project proves successful, similar trash racks will be set up at other vulnerable locations in the river. This initiative is part of a broader effort to clean local water bodies and improve waste management infrastructure. The project aims to tackle the persistent issue of waste flowing through the river. "The trash that gets collected at the barrier will be lifted and properly disposed of," a department official said. The move is expected to reduce pollution levels in the river, which has been a longstanding environmental concern. A trash rack is a fixed metal bar screen installed perpendicular to the direction of water flow, typically at the entrance of a water intake, to filter out large debris like plastic, seaweed, tree branches, and other waste items. Trash racks require regular maintenance to ensure they are effectively filtering debris and preventing blockages. There is serious pollution issue here as people throw waste, even plastic items, into the river. Previously, on the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), meshes were installed on the bridge so people are not able to throw waste from the road. It proved to be less effective. Residents here and environmental activists have welcomed the decision, calling it a much-needed step towards protecting the river ecosystem. "The new trash rack is expected to be a more robust and sustainable solution. Unlike temporary measures, this installation is designed for long-term impact and easier maintenance. The department concerned should speed up the work," said Tapasya, co-founder of the Save Ghaggar forum.
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Open burning of waste banned in Aravalli region in Nuh
Nuh district on Saturday banned the open burning of waste in the Aravalli region. Nuh deputy commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena issued a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, banning all forms of open burning such as solid, liquid, and organic waste within the district's Aravalli zone, which will remain in force until further notice. Local police station heads, the divisional forest officer of Nuh, and the regional officer of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board, have been directed to enforce the ban. Any violation of this order will invite punitive action under Section 223 of BNSS, 2023, and provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. The administration has ordered that copies of the order should be displayed prominently at the district and sub-divisional offices, police stations, and other public places.
