50 builders fined in Noida for violating green norms

The Noida Authority has fined 50 developers Rs 50,000 each, after they were found violating the 2010 construction guidelines of the Union Ministry of environment and forest (MoEF).

The move follows the National Green Tribunal’s April 4 directive to carry out inspections across the city in a bid to check air pollution. Authority officials said eight tractor trolley operators were also fined for violating waste disposal norms.

The authority had issued a public advisory on April 14 to alert developers, construction material suppliers and organisations on various guidelines to prevent air pollution, such as not burning waste in the open, and methods of construction to be adopted.

Claiming that the Authority is committed to improving Noida’s air quality, Chairperson and CEO Rama Raman said, “In the last month, we have planted 1.58 lakh trees, conducted drives to clean the drains, developed 172 rainwater harvesting pits in parks and green belts and converted fall leaves into compost, instead of burning them.”

Raman also said the Authority will continue its drive against violators. “We’re speeding up expansion of the Metro to reduce polluting vehicles on the road. Several underpasses, elevated roads and foot-over bridges are also being built to end traffic jams. But without participation of residents, we can’t achieve desired results. I urge residents and all other stakeholders to participate in making Noida clean and green,” said the CEO.