Residents of Palam Vihar are none-too-happy over the kiosks – more than a handful of them – selling construction material in the area. They have objected to the presence of the vendors , near Dharam Colony, who, they claim, are flouting directions given by the National Green Tribunal ( NGT ).Here, construction material lies exposed to the elements, while loose dust is left unwatered. So, if the wind picks up, this material, big and small, as well as the dust, and grits of cement atop big mounds, are prone to escape, aggravating pollution problems in an area already cluttered with one too many building sites, including that of the Bajghera flyover.“This material should ideally have been covered with cloth, (and) there should have been proper water-hosing as per the norms laid down by the NGT,” said Vaneeta, a resident. “But nothing of that sort is happening. Instead, we are seeing brazen violation of norms. We are not particularly against the sale of these things, we just want norms to be followed so that pollution problems don’t take a toll on our health – winters already don’t bode well for health, either,” she added. These kiosks, residents say, have been around for some five-six years. “There are half-a-dozen of them at a single place on the road that leads to Palam Vihar, after the railway crossing,” pointed out Shashank, who also resides in the locality. “It is among the major causes of pollution here.”Locals shared that they had carried out a protest march against the polluting kiosks. “We went to meet then SDM (sub-divisional magistrate) Bharat Bhushan, who issued directions. After his intervention, the area was regularly watered and covered. We also had a WhatsApp group for such grievances,” revealed Raghunath, another resident. “But slowly, as the memory faded away, so did the concern. Things turned full circle. Today, it’s the same situation as it was years ago – no improvement.”Bestech, Palam Vihar (C1 and C2 blocks) and Ashok Vihar are some of the societies nearby. Besides, and more worryingly, there are quite a few schools in the vicinity (including Narayana and Presidium), which leaves children at the risk of coming directly into contact with dangerous pollutants.“Some five to seven construction material kiosks have literally stretched their businesses to the main road. Building material – including cement, mortar and concrete – is lying outside (in the) open,” explains Yashish Yadav, president of Mahindra Aura RWA.“We only request them to sprinkle water on it to reduce air pollution, and to get the material covered. Time and again, the MCG and SDM have been intimated but these construction kiosk owners don’t adhere to the rules,” Yadav added.When contacted, officials from the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon told TOI they will look into the matter.

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