Survey polluting units in illegal colonies: EPCA to Delhi govt

The EPCA today directed the Delhi government to commission a study on illegal industries operating out of unauthorised colonies in the national capital even as it expressed concern over the proliferation of such polluting units in the city.
During a meeting chaired by Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) Chairman Bhure Lal, the government was asked to get the study conducted by "a third party", using money collected under the air ambience fund which was set up in 2008.
For every litre of diesel sold in Delhi, the fund receives 25 paise.
"Many industrial units have moved to unauthorised colonies of which the Delhi Pollution Control Committee does not even have a list. Please commission a study by a third party to enumerate and list such industries," EPCA member Sunita Narain said.

Delhi Environment Secretary Chandraker Bharti was among the officials of the government present in the meeting held at the EPCA office in Lodhi Road here where the recently notified graded response action plan against air pollution was discussed.
Bharti proposed that non-destined trucks be stopped at the NCR border instead of Delhi border as is being done presently.

An official also informed that over 11,000 trucks have been turned away from the city's borders between November 7 and December 11.
Officials also confirmed that around 20 air monitoring stations would come up in Delhi before next winter.
"We have proposed 22 manual stations in NCR, 12 of which will come up around May-June next year," a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) official said.

Officials of Uttar Pradesh informed EPCA that they have appointed nodal officers to execute the graded response plan.