CAQM reiterates strict implementation of CD waste disposal direction from April 1

New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), in a press conference on Friday, reiterated the strict implementation and enforcement of its Direction No 97 – aimed at scientifically disposing of construction and demolition (C&D) waste across NCR, which will come into effect from April 1 onwards.

All municipal bodies and development authorities across NCR will have to establish at least one collection point for C&D waste in a 5x5km radius under their jurisdiction, while also establishing adequate intermediate C&D storage and processing facilities, officials said.

The direction mandates all construction sites or projects with an area of 200 sqms or higher – making it necessary for them to declare the ‘estimated’ quantity of demolition waste to be generated before receiving a building plan clearance. Following construction and demolition, the waste generated will have to be deposited at any designated collection point or storage facility, based on which a receipt will be issued. Officials said failure to produce a receipt, or proof that C&D waste was deposited at a nearby collection point, will result in penal action, with no completion certificate being issued either.

“All agencies responsible for issuing completion certificates or occupation certificates will have to verify the receipt of deposition of demolition waste submitted by the project proponent, prior to issuance of such a certificate,” said CAQM member technical SD Attri during the press conference. The environmental compensation (EC) amount will be determined based on the quantum of waste generated and area size, he added.

“C&D is a major source of dust pollution in NCR. Dust contributes to 15% pollution in winter and 27% in summer,” Attri said.

CAQM issued this direction first on Feb 20 – giving agencies time to set up a facility.

Data shared by CAQM shows so far, there are 122 such collection points for depositing C&D waste in Delhi. “We already had collection points but the direction calls for at least one to be established in every 5x5km, so it is easy for any project proponent to deposit such waste,” Attri said. “We will soon get data on how many more such collection points have been established. This will also ensure transparency in terms of how much C&D waste is being generated by every site and where it is going,” he said.

As part of this direction, NCR govts have also been directed to establish an integrated ‘web portal’ and geo-tag all waste collection points, alongside storage and processing facilities. “Additionally, GPS tracking of transportation of C&D waste is needed to facilitate smooth implementation of the directions,” Attri added.