Eye on junk: Government to map scrap dealers

Two weeks after several people fell sick to radiation exposure from radioactive material in Mayapuri scrap market, Delhi Government has decided to map scrap dealers across the city.

Two weeks after several people fell sick to radiation exposure from radioactive material in Mayapuri scrap market, Delhi Government has decided to map scrap dealers across the city.

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In a high-level meeting attended by the officials of the department of environment, pollution control committee, municipal corporation, police and industrial development corporation, Delhi chief secretary Rakesh Mehta asked Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) prepare a report on scrap dealers and their activities in Delhi.

Apart from listing various scrap dealers, the DPCC would also look into the kind of scrap they deal in, its source, destination, the kind of material this scrap contains, possible threats from this scrap and the preparedness requires for the government to deal with any future incident of radiation exposure.

“We have asked the DPCC to carry out a detailed survey of all scarp dealers in Delhi. They will be submitting the report in a fortnight, Delhi chief secretary Rakesh Mehta said.

The Delhi government is also setting up a special ward at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital to treat patients of radiation exposure.

“Our 40-bed isolation ward at Lok Nayak hospital for any chemical, biological and radiological attack is ready and the Medical superintendent will be the in-charge of it,” Delhi health minister Kiran Walia said.