Govt to change rules to control pollution: Javadekar

Says 17 highly polluted locations detected, and 3,000 industries have been selected for installation of pollution control devices

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar today said the government is in the process of making necessary changes in rules and regulations to control pollution.

"As many as 64 government officers gave us suggestions about proper implementation of various policies regarding pollution control. We are making necessary changes in rules and regulations to control pollution," Javadekar told reporters after launching the 'Swachh Bharat' campaign here.

"We have detected 17 highly polluted locations and initially 3,000 industries have been selected for installation of pollution control devices for proper effluent discharge," he said.

The same exercise will be followed for all industries in the country, he added.

Stressing that no damage to the environment will be allowed, he said proper action will be taken against those causing pollution.

Javadekar also said that satellite images of rivers will be used to locate points for sand extraction and assured that no damage to the rivers will be allowed.

On the action being taken against use of plastic bags, the Minister said plastic bags measuring 40 microns and below in width are totally banned and added that the pollution control department has been instructed to immediately seize the stock of such bags found anywhere.

Clean air, clean water, clean power, and green surroundings are the four major tasks determined by the environment ministry, he said while seeking people's participation to achieve the target.

Later, the minister participated in a road cleaning drive along with students.

Earlier, nearly 5,500 students from 21 schools in Ratnagiri district sung the 'Swachh Bharat ka irada kar liya hamne' song, composed by noted lyricist Prasoon Joshi for the Centre's Clean India campaign.