The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has issued more than 13,000 challans in the past 10 days as part of a citywide drive against activities contributing to Delhi air pollution, while inspections found violations at 449 construction sites and led to environmental compensation of more than Rs 68 lakh.
According to the MCD report cited by Jagran, the corporation’s building department inspected 1,559 construction sites during the period. Violations of pollution-control requirements were found at 449 locations, and the concerned sites were issued environmental compensation exceeding Rs 68 lakh.
The enforcement drive also covers open waste burning and other pollution-generating activities. The MCD has deployed 164 night patrol teams and 134 day patrol teams to monitor violations. These teams include MCD employees and Civil Defence volunteers. Around 1,800 challans were issued on the day before Diwali and the following day, the report said.
The inspections are being carried out alongside action by several agencies. Nodal officers appointed by the Delhi government conducted joint inspections of pollution hotspots with officials from the Public Works Department, MCD, Delhi Traffic Police, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, National Highways Authority of India and the Railways.
During an inspection near Akshardham Metro station in east Delhi, officials examined a section of the national highway, the operation of a mist system, dust-control measures on railway land and the scientific disposal of waste. They also reviewed unpaved areas along the railway line and the maintenance of the Delhi Development Authority sports complex.
A separate inspection was conducted at the railway cement siding yard in Punjabi Bagh. During an earlier inspection on 28 October, authorities had directed strict action, including sealing the yard. A follow-up inspection on 12 November found that the Railways had installed barricading at the entrance and set up a Railway Protection Force post to prevent unauthorised activities, according to the report.
The MCD has also deployed 167 water sprinklers and 40 anti-smog guns across the city. Their zone-wise operation is being checked regularly. Day and night teams are monitoring open waste burning, road dust and traffic congestion linked to potholes, while Delhi Pollution Control Committee teams are inspecting pollution-control arrangements at various locations.
The corporation has directed officials to rectify the deficiencies identified during inspections and maintain regular monitoring. The latest action places construction-site compliance, dust control, waste management and coordination between civic and infrastructure agencies at the centre of Delhi’s current pollution-control effort.
