GURUGRAM: No mitigation plan has been enforced in Manesar so far even though a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report shows that the industrial hub is one of the most polluted areas in the city, a reality check by TOI has revealed.It has been found that the construction norms specified by the ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEF & CC) are being violated brazenly in new sectors – sectors 76, 77, 81, 82, 83 and 84 — and on Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway and Delhi-Jaipur Expressway at a time when the pollution levels hover between ‘poor’ and ‘severe’ categories in NCR for more than two weeks now. Uncarpeted roads, open dumping of construction and demolition waste and garbage burning are major sources that spike toxic air levels in the area, according to experts and residents.While several construction sites were found to be violating the pollution rules by not covering the construction materials in these sectors, trucks were spotted transporting uncovered building materials on NH-8 and KMP Expressway. Also, dumping of construction and demolition waste is going on unabated at eight spots on Delhi-Gurugram Expressway between Naharpur and Kherki Daula.Residents on the stretch claimed that the graded response action plan (GRAP) measures were not enforced fully in the area even though civic bodies had been making tall claims of implementation of anti-pollution steps. They reiterated that dirt roads which have not been carpeted with bitumen or gravel, and uncovered construction sites were the major sources of air pollution in Manesar.“As soon as one enters Manesar from Gurugram, he or she will find dust and haze. It is due to massive construction activities going on in new sectors. As you move beyond the base of National Security Guard (NSG), air gets cleaner. If the authorities make sure that construction norms are followed in new sectors, air pollution levels will come down here,” said Uday Srivastava, a resident of Sector 84.Many others blamed dumping of construction waste and garbage burning for making the situation worse. “While waste burning is reported from several areas in Gurugram, such acts are going unchecked in Manesar. Waste is set on fire every day in our sector. Waste dumping can also be seen anywhere along with the national highway. These are also two potential sources of air pollution,” said Ritwik, a resident of Sector 77.Experts, on the other hand, said diesel gensets are one of the major contributors to rising air pollution in Manesar.“Nothing causes air pollution as much as diesel gensets do in this area. A recent study shows that particulate matters — both PM2.5 and PM10 — have increased by 30% in residential areas owing to the use of diesel generator sets. As several residential societies haven’t got power connection, diesel gensets are being used during day and night, which spikes levels of pollutants,” said a scientist of CPCB.Some feel that the long-term measures such as increasing green cover and number of open spaces in Manesar will help combat air pollution.“In new sectors in Manesar there is hardly any open space and park. Also, green belts have not been developed properly. If the green cover can be increased, it will help reduce carbon levels in the lower atmosphere,” said Ashika Khanna, a resident of Sector 82, who has recently moved from Pune to the city.

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