In a stringent crackdown to combat hazardous air pollution, the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) has levied hefty penalties totalling Rs 14.10 lakh on 274 violators over the past week. This intensified enforcement action comes as the city's air quality continues to languish in the 'very poor' category, triggering Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
Breakdown of Penalties for Pollution Violations
According to data released by the civic body, the fines were imposed for a range of violations flagged under the stringent GRAP norms. The most common offence was the failure to use designated dustbins, which saw 170 individuals fined Rs 75,000 collectively. Open garbage burning, a major contributor to toxic smog, resulted in 28 cases attracting penalties of Rs 1.40 lakh.
The highest financial penalties were reserved for construction activities that defied GRAP restrictions. A total of 51 such violations led to fines amounting to a substantial Rs 7.90 lakh. Furthermore, 10 construction and demolition site breaches resulted in fines of Rs 2.60 lakh, while three cases involving other dust-emitting activities were penalised Rs 75,000. Additional fines were issued for littering (Rs 45,000 from 9 cases) and for leaving construction material uncovered (Rs 15,000 from 3 instances).
Enhanced Mitigation Measures on the Ground
Parallel to the punitive actions, the MCG has significantly ramped up its dust control measures across Gurgaon. To curb the resuspension of dust without causing daytime traffic disruptions, the corporation is deploying 18 mechanised road-sweeping machines on major corridors during night hours.
Water sprinkling operations have also been intensified. The civic body is using 10 truck-mounted sprinklers fitted with anti-smog guns to spray treated water daily in various zones. Additional water tankers have been pressed into service to keep roads and tree-lined avenues consistently damp, thereby preventing loose dust from becoming airborne.
Official Stance on Continued Enforcement
MCG Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya emphasised that controlling air pollution remains a top priority for the administration under the prevailing GRAP-IV conditions. He affirmed that the current phase of strict enforcement against all identified pollution sources will continue unabated until the air quality situation shows marked improvement. The comprehensive drive underscores the administration's focus on regulatory accountability and on-the-ground implementation of environmental norms during the critical pollution season.
