Gurgaon: Only 15 of 2,013 active construction and demolition (C&D) sites across five Haryana districts had functional web-camera links when Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) conducted a remote monitoring exercise in June — prompting the commission to term Haryana State Pollution Control Board’s (HSPCB) continued failure to address the lapses as “willful non-compliance.”The findings emerged from CAQM’s monitoring exercise, conducted between June 19 and 22 through the HSPCB web portal. Of the 213 active C&D sites registered in Panipat, 457 in Sonipat, 168 in Faridabad, 691 in Gurgaon North and 484 in Gurgaon South, functional camera links were available at only four sites in Faridabad, six in Gurgaon North and five in Gurgaon South. No functional links were reported for Panipat or Sonipat in the commission’s release.Across the 2,013 active C&D sites — 213 in Panipat, 457 in Sonipat, 168 in Faridabad, 691 in Gurgaon North and 484 in Gurgaon South — functional links were available at only four sites in Faridabad, six in Gurgaon North and five in Gurgaon South.CAQM has been carrying out sample-based remote monitoring of C&D sites through HSPCB’s portal since 2024. Over these exercises, it has repeatedly found discrepancies, including incomplete or insufficient web-camera links, incorrect user IDs and passwords, links prompting users to install mobile applications, non-working web links, and cameras remaining offline despite successful login.The commission said these issues had been flagged to HSPCB from time to time for corrective action, with the June findings specifically communicated to the board on July 8 — but said there was no substantial improvement. CAQM had also earlier advised HSPCB to deploy a dedicated team for effective remote monitoring through the portal, but no such team was deployed.The non-functional camera links have effectively defeated the purpose of the portal, which was intended to allow remote monitoring of C&D sites and verification of dust-control measures. This weakens a key layer of oversight: violations can go undetected unless authorities undertake physical inspections, particularly given the large number of sites involved.Taking serious note of the continued discrepancies, CAQM treated the matter as “willful non-compliance” by HSPCB, the authority designated to enforce the commission’s directions. It subsequently called HSPCB for a review meeting on Tuesday and sought detailed information, including a report on notices issued to the board and the complete status of compliance. HSPCB apprised CAQM of the compliance status and the steps undertaken toward implementing the statutory directions.CAQM’s directions require registration of all C&D projects with a plot area of 500 square metres or more, along with installation of functional video-monitoring systems on the state or Delhi govt web portal for remote monitoring of dust-mitigation measures.Following the review, CAQM directed HSPCB to ensure strict compliance with all its orders and statutory directions, and to take corrective measures, including closure of non-compliant sites. Concerned authorities were also directed to strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms so that prescribed dust-mitigation measures are effectively implemented at C&D sites.“We are planning to ensure that all C&D sites have a displayed board with all compliance measures written on it. Monitoring should be live all the time,” Yogesh Kumar, member secretary, HSPCB, told TOI.
