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Pollution norms violated at Delhi’s Pragati Maidan (Lead)
New Delhi, Oct 26 (IANS) The Delhi government on Friday told the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to take “strictest action” against the violators at the Pragati Maidan re-development site after finding violations of dust control measures including uncovered stacks of building materials and no arrangement to sprinkle water.
The violations came to light during a surprise inspection by a team, headed by Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain, at the ongoing construction sites at Pragati Maidan — where a new International Exhibition cum Conventional Centre, Executive Accommodation blocks and a tunnel are being constructed.
Hussain gave the orders after visiting the site as part of steps to check air pollution in the national capital.
“The team has observed several discrepancies, including blatant violation of Environmental Clearance (EC) conditions, visible clear-cut negligence on part of contractors with regard to construction and demolition,” read a statement from the Ministry.
The team found that no steps were taken by the contractors to control emission of re-suspension dust from excavation, drilling and other construction-related activities.
It found that stacks of building materials — sand and excavated boulders — were kept uncovered and in a dry condition, causing dust pollution.
“All construction sites were without mat fencing to trap the dust. All mat covering (Green sheets) arrangements were insufficient to mitigate the quantum of dust being generated from the construction sites,” the statement added.
The team also noticed that approach and internal roads were full of dust due to non-sprinkling of water and no steps were taken to alleviate the dust pollution from construction happening in the multi-storied residential project.
With deteriorating air quality in Delhi, Hussain on Tuesday directed various departments to combat air pollution on a war footing and to take mandated actions under ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ categories of air quality index in the city.
No construction site should be left uncovered in Delhi.
He directed both contractors and PWD officials to take measures for prevention and control of road dust/re-suspension of dust and other fugitive emissions.
The Minister has decided to regularly inspect all areas in Delhi to oversee the implementation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and visit the sites where there is a likelihood of air pollution.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.