Clean Air Campaign: 180 challans issued for various violations

Over 180 challans were today issued for various violations as part of the 'clean air campaign' - a joint initiative of the Union environment ministry and the Delhi government.
According to the environment ministry, on the second day of the campaign, 186 challans were issued for violations in building and construction activity, traffic congestion and others, while 604 instances of contravention of norms have been noted by the teams today.
Under the two-week-long campaign, which will continue tillFebruary 23, as many as 70 teamscomprising officials from Centre and Delhi governments, municipalcorporations, pollution control boards and others have been formed to monitor causes ofpollution and initiate remedial measures, including on-the-spot penalactions against serious polluters.

"The teams are issuing on-the-spot challans wherever serious violations are noticed. 186 challans have been issued today. 604 instances of violations have been noted by the teams today," the ministry said.
Around 332 violations were noted in construction and demolition activity, while 72 such violations were noted in road dust category.
In Traffic Congestion, 48 violations were noted, while 48 instances of open burning were observed. Nine violations were noted in landfill emissions, the data provided by environment ministry said.

The environment ministry said all teams were visiting various locations and taking strict actions in case of violation of norms.

"All the violations are being reported to the Control Room that has been set up in the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)," the ministry said in a statement.
It said that WhatsApp groups have also been created to ensure that information is transmitted quickly to the authorities concerned.
The campaign was launched on Saturday by Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
It includes enforcement of pollution-control measures for vehicles, driving discipline, inspection of power plants in Delhi to ensure it complies with the norms on pollution among others.