The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has come down heavily on polluters in Gurgaon and neighbouring Nuh, imposing penalties exceeding Rs 2.8 crore. The crackdown targets rampant violations of anti-pollution norms, primarily at construction sites, by diesel generator sets, and at industrial units, as the National Capital Region (NCR) grapples with hazardous air quality.
Major Fines and District-Wise Breakdown
Enforcement data reveals a significant disparity in penalties across zones. Gurgaon (north) faced the highest financial penalties, amounting to Rs 1.5 crore. This was closely followed by Gurgaon (south), which accrued fines of Rs 1.3 crore. In the Nuh district, violations led to penalties totalling Rs 40 lakh.
"Most challans were issued for construction and demolition activities, industrial emissions, and unauthorised diesel generator sets," stated Akansha Tanwar, Regional Officer of HSPCB in Gurgaon. She emphasised that monitoring has been intensified across districts, as these sources significantly worsen local pollution, particularly during the winter months.
Stringent Checks and Project Shutdowns
The pollution board's rigorous enforcement strategy includes higher penalties for repeat offenders. Teams scrutinised construction sites for mandatory dust suppression measures. These checks focused on the use of anti-smog guns, proper covering of raw materials and debris, and on-site waste management protocols.
Diesel generator sets were inspected for valid permissions, fuel type compliance, and adherence to stack height regulations. Industrial units faced inspections for operational pollution control devices, emission levels, and overall compliance with consent conditions.
As part of strict action under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) restrictions, the HSPCB ordered the closure of several major construction projects in Gurgaon for violating dust control norms. The list of halted sites includes:
- The Mall of India project in DLF Phases 2 and 3.
- IKEA India's mixed-use development in Sector 47.
- Multiple projects by BPTP in Sector 102.
- A project by Brisk Group in Sector 109.
- Developments by SPJ Properties in Sector 14.
- The AIPL Joy Gallery site in Sector 66.
- Paras Floret in Sector 59.
- The Punjab National Bank institutional building expansion in Sector 18.
Officials confirmed these sites were operating without adequate dust control measures despite active GRAP curbs.
Waste Mismanagement and Nuh's Night Raids
Beyond construction and industry, waste mismanagement also triggered regulatory action. Lapses in garbage handling by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) at the Bandhwari landfill have resulted in an ongoing environmental compensation penalty of Rs 10 lakh per month for non-compliance.
In Nuh, separate action was initiated after the region's air quality plummeted to the 'severe' category, triggering GRAP-IV restrictions across Delhi-NCR. Night inspections conducted on December 15 and 16 uncovered two stone crusher plants operating illegally in Taoru, in direct violation of the GRAP-IV ban.
"Under GRAP-IV, all stone crushing, mining, and construction activities are prohibited across NCR. Despite this, the units were found operating at night," explained an HSPCB official. Both units were immediately shut down and slapped with a fine of Rs 10 lakh each, bringing the total penalty from this raid to Rs 20 lakh.
The pollution control authorities have issued a clear warning that intensive inspection drives will continue across Gurgaon and adjoining districts. The focus will remain on construction sites, industrial clusters, generator installations, and waste handling facilities as part of heightened winter pollution control measures.
