Amid growing concerns over air quality in the state capital Delhi, the government is setting up a panel headed by CM Rekha Gupta to monitor pollution. According to a Hindustan Times report, it will include ministers, government representatives, experts and scientists.
In addition, all ministries have been instructed to enforce penalties for any pollution violation, whether committed by individuals, private entities or government agencies.
“Delhi CM has said that no agency, whether government or private, will be spared if found violating anti-pollution measures and rules. Construction and demolition sites should be properly fenced and water sprinkling should be done there to reduce dust. MCD has been directed to make all its 8,000 km roads pothole-free and dust-free,” Environment Minister Sirjinder Sanjing told ANI.
On Tuesday, the Union Environment Ministry convened a meeting with officials from all northern states and issued time-bound guidelines to reduce pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Key decisions
“After the meeting, mechanized sweepers, anti-smog guns and water sprinklers were ordered to be operated in Noida, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Greater Noida. It was also decided that potholes would be identified and repaired within 72 hours,” Sirsa said.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa unveiled plans for a tree planting initiative involving public participation. The state government will adopt the central government’s ‘Gaurav Way’ model for road planning and storm water drainage.
“It was decided in the meeting that all local bodies will focus on tree planting with public involvement. It has been directed that parks and road areas in Delhi NCR region will be densely covered. The Delhi government will adopt the central government’s ‘Gaurav Way’ model of road planning with rainwater drainage. We are working to increase last mile metro connectivity under the leadership of the CM.
Air quality in Delhi
On Wednesday, December 3, Delhi’s air quality remained in the “very poor” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
This is the second consecutive day that Delhi’s air is in the ‘very poor’ AQI category. The average AQI reading in the capital was 335 on Wednesday.
The CPCB states that an AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 to 100 as “satisfactory”, 101 to 200 as “moderate”, 201 to 300 as “poor”, 301 to 400 as “very poor” and 401 to 50.
