Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday, December 16, chaired a high-level meeting to review action plans for rising pollution in Gurugram and Faridabad. In his second meeting to review the anti-pollution action plan, the Union minister instructed the authorities to identify pollution hotspots, conduct field inspections and understand the root causes of the problem.
Bhupender Yadav expressed concern over pollution levels in cities and issues such as old garbage and traffic congestion, and directed police officers to conduct extensive field inspections and ensure visible and measurable results in removing sources of pollution.
The minister also “stressed the need to identify pollution hotspots, understand root causes and implement targeted corrective measures. He also ordered that monthly reports on measures taken be submitted by concerned officials for ministerial-level review.”
A press release from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change said the minister “further directed the municipal commissioners of the two cities to prepare integrated action plans to address the long-standing issue of municipal solid waste (MSW)/old waste and to expedite the full paving of roads to curb road dust.”
“He directed the authorities to identify and take action against unregistered and de-registered vehicles plying on the roads…suggested that urban cleanliness campaigns should be carried out in mission mode by forming urban teams through convergence with self-help groups (SHGs) and public representatives. The minister called for adoption of technological solutions, capacity building of safai karamcharis and strengthening of public activities which should especially emphasize mass behavior change among the youth. tailor-made to specific target groups with knowledge of the relevant laws and regulations.”
The minister also emphasized the need to improve greening of open spaces in Gurugram and Faridabad.
“He also instructed the authorities to identify hotspots of traffic congestion and implement easy-to-implement short-term measures to reduce vehicle emissions, including removing unnecessary police roadblocks, eliminating illegal parking and providing structured parking facilities.”
The meeting was attended by Chairman Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), senior officials of Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Chairman (UP SPCB), District Magistrates and Municipal Commissioners of Gurugram, Faridabad and Manesar.
