The Newz Radar
MANDI: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has warned its contractors engaged in road projects in Himachal Pradesh regarding illegal dumping of debris at undesignated sites.
The NHAI Regional Officer of Himachal Pradesh, Abdul Basit, conducted a meeting on Saturday involving all contractors, team leaders of supervising consultants and project directors of NHAI in Mandi, Shimla, Palampur and Hamirpur to address the issue of illegal dumping in all locations where the NHAI has been assigned the task of construction of four-lane projects in the state.
Basit issued a stern warning to contractors that no illegal dumping would be tolerated and those found indulging in unlawful acts would face penalties other than withholding of their payment bills. The Regional Officer directed that within seven days, entire illegally dumped materials at the dumping sites should be removed and the area restored to its original state to prevent any environmental harm.
The officer also instructed that all contractors should contribute to environmental conservation by undertaking additional tree plantation drives, besides augmentation of rain water harvesting systems to compensate for any environmental damage.
Furthermore, directions were issued that all supervisors, truck drivers and other staff members should receive training on environmental protection and prevention of illegal dumping to ensure compliance and take necessary measures for environmental conservation.
Contractors suggested that the NHAI should impart this training in collaboration with the State Pollution Control Board for better implementation. The RO assured them to take up the matter with the state government.
In order to curb illegal dumping, the project directors present in the meeting suggested that contractors be directed to submit a certificate verified by the team leader along with the Monthly Progress Report (MPR) stating that no illegal dumping or environmental damage has occurred during dumping of material.
Acting swiftly over the suggestion, the Regional Officer directed that every MPR should include a column where the team leaders and the project manager of the contractor would sign a certificate affirming no illegal dumping had taken place and no environmental damage had been caused.
Basit appealed to all contractors, team leaders and project directors to that environmental protection was their responsibility and all necessary steps should be taken to safeguard it. He advised that dumping should only be carried out at approved sites. He warned that strict action would be taken against those found dumping waste along the highways.
