Action plan formulated to reduce Delhi-NCR pollution: Javadekar

A three month action plan has been formulated to curb rising air pollution levels in the national capital region, Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Friday.

Interacting with the media after meeting the ministers and officials from Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, he said: "A three month action plan and another for one year have been formulated to tackle the four focus areas - agriculture, construction waste and demolition waste and vehicular pollution."

"Air quality monitoring stations will be increased from present 19 spots to 30 spots covering every state," he added.

About Delhi, Javadekar said that one lakh vehicles have been fined for polluting while a new pollution checking mechanism would be introduced in the city by the end of August.

"Under the new system of pollution checking, there is no scope of tampering with results.AThe new technology is being tested and will be introduced soon," he said.

In addition, efforts were being made to stop overloaded vehicles from entering Delhi while the pace of constructing bypasses had also been increased.

As far as industrial pollution in neighbouring Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) is concerned, the minister said 57 industries have been kept under constant watch list and asked to improve their pollution situation.

In Rajasthan, 30 brick kilns have been shut down for polluting in excess while action has been initiated against 12 and show-cause notice have been issued to another nine units, he said.