As Delhi continues to grapple with severe air pollution, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has intensified its crackdown on environmental violations, imposing a significant penalty on Maulana Azad Medical College for failing to comply with waste management regulations.
Medical College Faces Penalty for Waste Management Lapses
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has slapped Maulana Azad Medical College with a fine of Rs 20,000 for non-compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016 and subsequent bylaws established in 2018. During an inspection conducted on November 13, authorities confirmed that the institution had been consistently violating provisions outlined in the environmental regulations.
MAMC falls under the classification of a "bulk waste generator" according to the established rules. This designation requires the institution to implement proper waste segregation at the source, categorizing waste into dry, wet, and hazardous streams. Additionally, the college is mandated to process biodegradable waste on-site through methods such as composting or biomethanation.
When contacted about the penalty, MAMC dean Munisha Agarwal confirmed that the matter is currently under review by the institution's administration.
Widespread Enforcement Across Delhi
The action against the medical college forms part of a broader enforcement drive across the national capital. According to sources within the MCD, authorities have issued 4,614 challans specifically related to municipal solid waste handling violations until November 12. These penalties have accumulated to a total amount of Rs 18,87,111.
Beyond waste management infractions, the civic body has also targeted other pollution sources. An additional 482 challans have been issued for various environmental violations, including garbage burning, unauthorized construction activities, improper dumping of construction and demolition waste, and breaches of National Green Tribunal norms such as unauthorized tree cutting in green belts. These penalties amount to Rs 51,26,301.
Coordinated Action Against Polluting Units
In a significant operation last week, officials from MCD's West Zone conducted a sealing drive against illegal polluting units in Bindapur's Ward No. 116. The enforcement action resulted in the sealing of four industrial units found to be operating in violation of environmental standards.
The sealed establishments included two manufacturing setups operating coal-fired bhattis, a chemical factory, and a noodle-making unit that was discharging untreated wastewater directly into the environment. This coordinated operation involved multiple agencies working together, including the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, power distribution company BSES, and the office of the sub-divisional magistrate.
The crackdown comes as Delhi's air quality remains in the 'very poor' category, with the Air Quality Index ranging between 301-400. With Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan currently in effect, civic authorities are focusing on multiple pollution sources, including the burning of municipal solid waste, environmental norm violations by factories, ongoing construction activities prohibited under GRAP 3 regulations, and improper handling of construction and demolition debris.
