Gopal Rai Imposes ₹5L Fine On L&T For Violating Construction Ban

Delhi Environment minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday imposed a fine of ₹5 lakh on Larsen and Toubro, a construction company, for violation of environmental norms at the construction site of the BJP headquarters extension.

NEW DELHI | Updated: 01 November, 2022 8:50 pm IST
Delhi Environment minister Gopal Rai visited the construction site in central Delhi

Delhi Environment minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday imposed a fine of ₹5 lakh on Larsen and Toubro, a construction company, for violation of environmental norms at the construction site of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters extension.

As per phase 3 of GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan), any kind of construction or mining is banned in the national capital. Only government-related essential construction activity is allowed during the period of the ban.

Speaking to the media, following a surprise check at the site in Central Delhi, Rai said, “During the inspection, large-scale irregularities were found at the BJP’s under-construction office site by L&T.”

“The construction work was going on despite the ban on construction work in Delhi. In such a situation, DPCC was instructed to stop the construction work and impose a fine of ₹5 lakhs,” he said.

While issuing a fine of ₹5 lakh, Rai directed the officer to stop the work right away. He said that a lot of construction materials were found lying in the open and stone-cutting work was also being done covertly.

Rai said the Delhi government is actively working to prevent pollution in Delhi. The government has a special focus on 10 anti-pollution focal points.

Rai further said that the third phase of GRAP has been implemented in Delhi due to the rising pollution. As a result, construction and demolition work have been prohibited in Delhi as a result of the same.

In Delhi, there are about 500 teams doing surveillance to prevent any unauthorised construction or demolition work. Some departments and agencies have been given approval for construction and demolition per the directives of CAQM (commission of air quality management).

They have been given strict instructions to adhere to all construction and demolition regulations. If not, their work will be stopped. Such construction and demolition sites will still be subject to inspections in the future. And those who have been granted authority to conduct construction will be closed if all construction or demolition regulations are not adhered to.

“Delhi’s pollution was expected to increase from November 1. Currently, it is in the category of ‘very poor’. The government is trying to reduce pollution by working on 10 focal points. We appeal to the people of Delhi that if they all cooperate with the government, then we can be successful in reducing Delhi’s pollution,” he further added.

On the question of stubble burning, Rai said, “Punjab government is making all efforts to stop the burning of stubble. A proposal was sent to the central government for financial support to the farmers for decomposing stubble with bio decomposer. But the BJP government at the Centre rejected it. Despite that, the Punjab government is making efforts to stop the burning of stubble. This time the incidents of stubble burning in Punjab will decrease.”

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