Gurgaon residents demand an end to waste burning

Residents alleged that burning waste is a common problem at DLF Phase 2, MG Road, Golf Course Road, Sector-15 and on roads along NH 8.

As garbage and dry leaves continue to be burnt by civic agencies’ workers in green belts and along the roads, residents of several sectors have raised their voice and approached the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) against the deteriorating air quality in the city.

Waste and dry leaves being burnt in Sector 30 green belt on Saturday. (Parveen Kumar//HT Photo)

The air quality in Gurgaon is marked ‘poor’ though winter has passed.

Residents alleged that burning waste is a common problem at DLF Phase 2, MG Road, Golf Course Road, Sector-15 and on roads along NH 8.

In the last one week, air quality deteriorated from ‘moderate’ to ‘poor’, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) daily air quality index. The air quality index was recorded at 326 on Friday compared to 152 on March 18.

“It is common to dispose of dry leaves and garbage by burning them instead of transferring it to the appropriate location to make compost manure... It seems like a dream to breath clean air in Gurgaon till the authorities train their ground staff on proper waste disposal,” said Jasvinder Singh Dhir, a resident of DLF Phase 2.

Residents of sectors 15 and 31 said as they live close to the NH 8, the pollution level is high because as dry leaves are burnt along the road.

“The National Green Tribunal (NGT) should take suo moto action to provide relief to thousands of people suffering from the spike in harmful gases released by burning garbage and dry leaves in the city,” Ramesh Vashist of Sector 15 said.

Residents also said construction continues to be dumped along residential areas in violation of NGT orders. On March 10, the NGT had asked the state government to submit a report on air pollution in Gurgaon within two months and take corrective steps, after a resident of Sector 67 filed a petition stating that the area was covered in dust because of rampant dumping of construction waste.

“After exhausting all options of working with government agencies such as the MCG, Huda, HSPCB, DTCP for months, I was forced to knock on the NGT’s door. The administrators need to understand that children are suffering...” Kush Kochgaway, the petitioner, said.

As per data by the HSPCB, open burning of solid wastes emits pollutants, including carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and dioxins or furans.

The HSPCB said they were preparing a draft of activities responsible for air pollution in the city after receiving complaints from residents. “We are taking steps to curb air pollution and will submit our report to the NGT. Burning of leaves in various parts of the city is an issue and we have already spoken to the Huda regarding the problem,” Bhupender Singh, regional officer, HSPCB, said.

Huda executive engineer VK Nirala said the department has prohibited people from burning waste in the city. “We are continuously conducting checks on roads to check burning of waste. We have also given instructions to contractors to not burn dry leaves and garbage,” he sad.