In a major drive to combat worsening air quality, the Gujarat government has launched a stringent crackdown on construction sites flouting pollution norms across the state's urban centres. The action comes as winter sets in, a period typically associated with a sharp decline in air quality.
Three-Day Inspection Blitz Yields Results
Acting on direct orders from Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, authorities conducted a sweeping inspection of construction sites over a concentrated three-day period. This initiative followed a virtual meeting with all municipal commissioners and regional commissioners of municipalities.
The scale of the operation was significant. Out of a total of 2,961 identified construction sites spread across 17 Municipal Corporations, officials managed to evaluate 2,600 sites. This included 1,303 out of 1,563 sites in the eight older municipal corporations and 1,300 out of 1,398 sites in the nine newer corporations. Furthermore, inspections were completed for all 771 sites located within municipal areas.
Hefty Penalties Imposed for Violations
The inspections revealed widespread non-compliance, leading to substantial financial penalties. According to an official statement released on a Saturday, monetary fines were levied on a total of 541 construction sites for various pollution control violations.
The breakdown of the penalties is telling. A hefty sum of Rs 122.82 lakh was imposed on 506 sites located within the jurisdictions of the eight older municipal corporations. Meanwhile, 35 sites in the nine new corporations were fined a combined Rs 1.058 lakh. This brings the total penalty amount collected to nearly Rs 123 lakh.
A Proactive Stance Against Winter Pollution
This aggressive enforcement campaign is a direct response to the alarming rise in air pollution levels witnessed in Gujarat's metropolitan cities as temperatures begin to drop. The state government's pre-emptive move underscores a commitment to tackling the seasonal pollution spike head-on.
The drive sends a clear message to the construction industry about the seriousness with which the state views environmental regulations. By holding sites accountable for dust and emission control, the authorities aim to mitigate one of the major contributors to urban air pollution, especially during the vulnerable winter months.
