ITANAGAR, Mar 14: In view of the mounting air and water pollution in the Capital Complex due to the ongoing highway construction work, the Arunachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (APSPCB), department of Environment and Forests, Naharlagun Member Secretary, T Riba has written to the PWD Highways (West) Chief Engineer, directing him to engage water sprinklers from Chandranagar to Papu Nallah highway throughout the day to suppress formation of dust.
Expressing concern over the fact that no preventive measures have been undertaken to check pollution caused by hug generation of dust, thereby, making the people vulnerable to diseases, the APSPCB has further directed the CE to ensure that muck disposal is done only at the designated disposal sites only for clean air and environment.
‘It is observed that due to the ongoing works there is high density generation of dust, and muck generated from the earth cuttings are being disposed directly into the streams/nallah at Papu resulting in deterioration of water quality. Whereas, it is also observed that it has caused great inconvenience to the public as it is almost impossible to commute in the open due to the dust. The people are exposed to it and are inhaling the dust. Whereas, dust and particulate matters are air pollutants and is injurious to the health of human beings or living creatures or plants or property or environment thereby being detrimental to the environment’, the statement from the APSPCB read.
The board also informed that it had earlier issued a notice to the office of the PWD Highways (West) Chief Engineer vide letter no. 3591-96 dated 30th November, 2017 regarding the issue.
