NGT ban fails to stop construction on Golf Course Road

Construction work along the Golf Course Road continued on Thursday, two day after the National Green Tribunal ordered ban on the activity to check air pollution. Sources said that the town and country planning department has issued 25-30 notices to stop construction activities on Golf Course Road and Golf Course Extension Road.

Construction work along the Golf Course Road continued on Thursday, two day after the National Green Tribunal ordered ban on the activity to check air pollution.

Sources said that the town and country planning department has issued 25-30 notices to stop construction activities on Golf Course Road and Golf Course Extension Road. Some of the large projects on this stretch include the Rapid Metro extension, widening of the road jointly by DLF Limited and Huda and other condominiums and group housing societies.

While the agencies involved in construction have not received any instructions yet, the authorities also seem clueless about how to implement the NGT orders.

On Tuesday, the NGT order stated, “We hereby direct Huda and the state of Haryana to immediately direct stoppage of construction activities of all the buildings shown in the report as well as at other sites wherever, construction is being carried out in violation of the direction of NGT as well as the MoEF guidelines of 2010.”

On Thursday, Huda administrator asked the State Town Planner (STP) to comply with NGT orders as the Golf Course Road does not fall under its jurisdiction. The town and country planning department, in turn, passed the baton on to the state pollution control board (HSPCB), saying that it does not have the technical knowledge about measuring pollution.

Later in the evening, the town and country planning department issued notices that are expected to be served before 2pm on Friday, when the government agencies were supposed to present compliance reports to the NGT.

“We are going to issue notices to developers and other agencies to stop construction immediately. We are also asking them to submit compliance report to the HSPCB that they are following the NGT and MoEF guidelines from 2010,” said Narender Solanki, district town planner (enforcement), Gurgaon.

Some of the projects like Rapid Metro and DLF-Huda roads are more than 50 per cent completed.

“We take measures to check air pollution like regular sprinkling of water, air ambient quality test on frequent basis and proper barricading to ensure dust control,” said a DLF spokesperson.

Rapid Metro spokesperson said that the mandatory norms as laid down by various statutory bodies are being complied with and an inter nal audit mechanism ensures that these guidelines are adhered to by the contractors as well.

According to the residents, cases of respiratory problems have increased as the stretch remains dusty throughout the day.