'Action plan prepared to monitor air quality in Delhi region'

The government has consulted states in the National Capital Region and prepared an action plan to check worsening of air quality in Delhi and around, which includes installation of ambient air quality monitoring stations and conversion of coal-based industrial estates into green-based units.
"The government has consulted the state governments of National Capital Region (NCR) like UP, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan and prepared an action plan," Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar informed Lok Sabha today.
In a written reply, he said that the plan includes issuing of 'challans' to vehicles running without Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, violating lane discipline; minimising congestion due to breakdown of vehicles on roads and providing U-turn facility at entry gates of inter-state borders.

The minister also said that 18 coal-based industrial units will be converted to environment-friendly (CNG or LPG-based) units, while emphasis will be given on mechanical harvesting for minimising the stubble and biomass extraction from fields.
The plan also includes monitoring the conditions stipulated in environmental clearance for construction and demolition activities and ensure compliance of pollution control apart from installing ambient air quality monitoring stations.
Javadekar said that an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system will be provided to detect the movement of non-destined vehicles.
He said that the National Green Tribunal has issued directions to government agencies which include taking ambient air quality samples from entire NCR Delhi at various intervals, checking emissions from vehicles, to ban diesel vehicles older than ten years to ply in Delhi, directions to municipal corporations (MCD, NDMC) and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and transport department to impose higher parking free, registration and congestion charges and others.

He said that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has also given directions for banning the burning of plastic, to ensure that trucks which are permitted to cross Delhi are not overloaded, and issuance or renewal of registration to vehicles which are more than 15 years old.