Noida Authority Fines Banquet Halls £5 Lakh Each for Pollution

In a significant move to address environmental concerns, the Noida Authority has levied hefty fines on eight banquet halls for their failure to manage kitchen waste properly. These establishments, located in the Hoshiarpur area of Sector 51, were fined Rs 5 lakh each for discharging greasy waste directly into the city's sewer lines and drains, causing blockages. This decision follows an inspection conducted on March 7, based on instructions from Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M.

The inspection aimed to ensure that these banquet halls treated their greasy waste through an effluent treatment plant (ETP) and installed Grease Traps in their kitchens. "This was done so that the problem of overflow of sewers or drains could be solved," explained Raghvendra Pratap Singh, General Manager of water and sewer at the Noida Authority. Despite being given a 15-day deadline to comply with these directives, subsequent re-inspections revealed that no corrective actions had been taken by the establishments.

Meanwhile, the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) has stepped in, requesting an extension until April 30 for facilities to install ETPs. This plea comes in the wake of notices issued to several restaurants for similar violations, with seven restaurants, six of which are located in Sector 18, being warned of sealing over non-compliance with kitchen waste management norms. Varun Khera, head of NRAI's Uttar Pradesh chapter, has also appealed for a waiver in challans and penalties issued.

The association is urging its members and the wider restaurant community in Noida to expedite the installation of ETPs to enhance the city's environment and avoid punitive actions by the Noida Authority. Echoing this sentiment, Sushil Kumar Jain, president of the Sector 18 market association, has called upon all shop and restaurant owners/operators to meet the legal requirements promptly.

This series of events underscores a growing emphasis on environmental compliance within Noida's commercial sector. The Noida Authority's stringent actions reflect a commitment to tackling pollution and maintaining the city's sanitation infrastructure. As businesses work towards meeting these standards, it is hoped that such measures will lead to a cleaner and more sustainable urban environment.