Gurugram : The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has issued an advisory prohibiting the burning of fires in the open, citing growing concerns over air pollution during the winter season. The move comes in view of several incidents where security personnel were found lighting open fires to keep themselves warm.
According to the corporation, such activities significantly deteriorate air quality, leading to a rise in the Air Quality Index (AQI) and causing adverse effects on public health and the environment.
In the interest of public health and environmental protection, the MCG has directed all Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), industries, commercial establishments, and organisations employing security guards to strictly ban any form of open burning within their premises.
The advisory clearly states that burning garbage, wood, dry leaves, or any other material in the open is strictly prohibited. Instead, institutions have been instructed to provide safe and approved alternatives such as electric heaters or other non-polluting heating arrangements for security personnel during the winter months.
The corporation has also asked all concerned organisations to sensitise security staff about the harmful effects of open burning and to inform them about the relevant legal provisions, so that such incidents are not repeated in the future.
MCG has warned that open burning is a punishable offence. Violators may face challans and penal action under the orders of the National Green Tribunal dated December 4, 2014 and April 28, 2015 (OA No. 21/2014), Section 280 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Appealing to citizens to strictly comply with the advisory, MCG Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya said collective cooperation is essential to effectively control air pollution and improve the city’s air quality. He emphasized that the measure has been taken in public interest and can succeed only with active participation from all stakeholders.
