UPPCB Seeks ₹10 Lakh Environmental Fine Against Godrej Palm Retreat Developer in Noida
The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board has recommended ₹10 lakh in environmental compensation after an inspection found non-operational anti-smog guns, missing green netting and other dust-control gaps at the Sector 150 construction site.
- UPPCB has recommended ₹10 lakh in environmental compensation against the project’s developer.
- An October 21 inspection found four anti-smog guns installed but not operational.
- Missing green netting, a tyre-washing system and particulate matter sensors were also flagged.
Noida: The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has recommended environmental compensation of ₹10 lakh against the developer of Godrej Palm Retreat in Sector 150, Noida, over alleged violations of construction-site pollution control requirements. The recommendation followed an inspection conducted on October 21, 2026, with the board documenting several shortcomings in dust-mitigation arrangements at the project site.
According to a letter issued by the UPPCB’s regional office in Noida on October 22, the inspection identified multiple gaps in measures required under Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The project is being developed by ACE Infracity Developers Pvt Ltd. The findings included four anti-smog guns that were not operational, the absence of green dust-control netting and a missing tyre-washing facility at the main entrance. Particulate matter (PM) sensors were also not installed.
Kishan Singh, assistant engineer at UPPCB’s Noida office, said the inspection found that essential dust-control measures were not being followed despite GRAP Stage-I restrictions being in force.
The board had previously issued a notice to the developer on September 30, asking it to address the reported violations. However, according to the regional office’s inspection letter, no response had been received by October 21.
Following the inspection, the regional office forwarded its findings to the board’s headquarters and recommended environmental compensation of ₹10 lakh. The proposed penalty refers to the National Green Tribunal’s order dated July 20, 2016, concerning dust-control violations at construction sites.
The recommendation does not, by itself, establish that the compensation has been finally imposed or collected.
Construction activities can contribute to local air pollution when dust-control measures are inadequate. At the Godrej Palm Retreat site, the absence of green netting could allow dust to spread beyond the construction boundary, while the non-operational anti-smog guns raised concerns about the effectiveness of dust suppression.
The missing tyre-washing system was another concern identified during the inspection. Construction vehicles can carry mud and loose soil onto surrounding roads, where the material may dry and become airborne, contributing to dust pollution.
The absence of PM sensors also means the site lacked the particulate-matter monitoring equipment flagged by the board. Together, these shortcomings prompted the UPPCB to recommend environmental compensation.
The action comes amid elevated air pollution levels in Noida. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data cited in the report, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 205 at 4 pm on October 23, 2026, placing it in the moderate category.
The reading was lower than the AQI of 249 recorded on October 21 and 242 on October 22. However, it remained above the October 20 reading of 161, indicating that pollution levels had fluctuated during the period.
Construction-site dust is one of several sources that can affect local air quality. Effective dust suppression, appropriate site monitoring and measures to prevent soil from spreading onto public roads are important for limiting construction-related emissions.
The UPPCB’s regional office has forwarded the inspection findings to its headquarters for further consideration of the proposed ₹10 lakh environmental compensation. The available report does not confirm whether the recommendation has subsequently been approved or whether the developer has completed the required corrective measures.
The developer, ACE Infracity Developers Pvt Ltd, had not responded to Hindustan Times’ queries seeking comment at the time of publication of the original report.
Further action will depend on the board’s consideration of the inspection findings and the developer’s compliance with applicable pollution-control requirements. Any update on the proposed compensation, operational status of the anti-smog guns, installation of green netting and tyre-washing facilities, or PM monitoring arrangements would help clarify the project’s compliance position.
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