Hyderabad:The Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) has recommended the closure of four construction projects in Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts for carrying out work without obtaining consent for establishment (CFE). It has also recommended closure of a captive Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) plant and stoppage of construction activities at another project following inspections that found several environmental violations.
The recommendations were made at a meeting of the TGPCB Task Force Committee, which reviewed the compliance status of 18 construction projects at its head office in Sanath Nagar on Wednesday. Regional officers, Rolling Task Force teams and representatives of the construction projects attended the meeting.
The inspections were carried out following complaints about air pollution caused by construction activities. The teams found dust emissions from several sites, affecting air quality in surrounding areas.
The violations included the absence of 10-metre-high windbreak walls, dust accumulation on internal roads and nearby public roads, and failure to regularly clean and wet roads to control dust. Sand and construction debris were also stored in the open.
The teams found that some projects had not provided chutes to dispose of construction waste from upper floors. Water-sprinkling systems were either missing or inadequately maintained. Some sites were using metal drum chutes instead of HDPE chutes, contributing to noise pollution.
Noise levels at the premises of some projects exceeded the prescribed daytime commercial limit of 65 decibels. The teams also found improper disposal of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, inadequate records of waste disposal and debris dumped around project sites. Housekeeping and maintenance were found to be poor.
The committee recommended environmental compensation for projects with major violations and forfeiture of bank guarantees furnished by projects where minor violations were found. It also decided to direct the non-compliant projects to rectify the deficiencies within 10 days.
The four projects recommended for closure were carrying out construction without obtaining CFE from the Board. The committee also recommended a stop-construction order for another project.
It further recommended closure of a captive RMC plant associated with a construction project for operating without Consent for Operation (CFO) and without adequate pollution control measures.
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