L&T fined Rs 5 lakh for violating dust pollution norms

New Delhi, Oct 7 (Agency) A fine of Rs five lakh has been imposed on the construction major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for non-adherence to pollution control norms while working on one of its projects, informed the Delhi government on Thursday. The firm has been fined for not complying with the dust pollution control measures during the construction of an underpass near Pragati Maidan. “During an inspection, we found lots of dust at the site. The green net installed to control dust pollution was torn. There was also no water in the tank of its anti-smog gun,” Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said.

The company has been served a notice asking it to comply with the 14-point dust control guidelines in two days, failing to which, fine of Rs 5 lakh per day will be imposed further, the minister added. The minister warned that all agencies, government or private, have to mandatorily adhere to the anti-dust norms and should be ready to face heavy penalties in case they fail to follow. “It is not a herculean task to implement them for agencies, if the agencies don’t implement them then they should be prepared for strict action,” he added. Earlier today, Rai launched the Dust Pollution Control Self Assessment Portal to bolster monitoring under the anti-dust campaign. Total 31 teams have been constituted to inspect construction sites and monitor the situation, he said.