DPCC fines illegal factory 5 lakh in Delhi Cantt, flags waste dumping in Hari Nagar

New Delhi: Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has imposed an environmental compensation of Rs 5 lakh on a factory operating illegally in Sadar Bazar, Delhi Cantonment . The unit was found to be running without the mandatory Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO), DPCC informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

The matter came to light following a complaint referred to the DPCC last year by the office of then Delhi cabinet minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, based on a resident's allegations. The same issue was later brought before the NGT. The complaint stated that an illegal factory was operating at odd hours, running heavy machinery, and not managing the waste.

In a report dated June 5, 2025, and uploaded on Saturday, DPCC stated, "The unit was involved in selling bakery and confectionery items with in-house manufacturing. The establishment had a trade licence from the Delhi Cantonment Board, but no CTO and CTE were issued by the DPCC."

A joint inspection by DPCC and Delhi Cantonment Board officials was conducted on Sept 23, 2024. The report further noted that while the area is designated as mixed-land use under the Delhi Master Plan 2021, only shops up to 20 sqm are permitted. The factory in question exceeded this limit.

"Accordingly, a showcause notice was issued on Sept 30, levying an environmental compensation of Rs 5 lakh," DPCC said, adding, "Further, the DPCC on the same day issued a direction to the Delhi Cantonment Board (DCB) to seal the unit."

In a separate case, DPCC submitted another report to the NGT concerning an overflowing dhalao (garbage dump yard) in Hari Nagar, west Delhi. The complaint alleged that despite being officially closed, the dump site continued to be used for waste disposal.

An inspection was conducted in Jan 2025 at dhalao number 132, located on Mangal Pandey Road, near Hanuman Park.

"The dumping yard is found at the boundary of Hanuman Park, adjacent to Mangal Pandey Road. The yard is in a damaged condition and can collapse at any time," said the report dated June 19 and uploaded on Saturday. It also noted that the main drain was clogged, and garbage was spilling over onto the footpath.

DPCC has asked Municipal Corporation of Delhi to submit a detailed action taken report regarding the condition of the dhalao and remedial measures undertaken.