Take strict action to tackle air pollution: Env min to Har, UP

The Environment Ministry has directed Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to take strict measures, including on-the-spot action in case of vehicular pollution and traffic congestion, to tackle air pollution.
The ministry has asked both these states to take all measures to mitigate air pollution in cities such as Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad and Gurgaon in a campaign mode, so that a visible improvement in air quality can be brought in Delhi and its adjoining areas.
The Centre has also directed the Dehi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), NHAI, PWD, Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) and NBCC (India) Limited to enforce strict dust mitigation measures as required under the recently notified dust standards.

"The state governments and other agencies have been directed to focus on large polluting activities and take adequate on-the-spot response in cases of vehicular pollution and traffic congestion," a ministry statement said.
They have been also directed to ensure strict implementation of the ban on garbage burning, impose penalty on violators, management of fly ash, inspect brick-kilns to check if norms are being followed and encourage plantation of saplings in open areas, it said.
The ministry said that emphasis has also been laid on creating mass awareness on air pollution.

"Delhi is an air-shed and actions within Delhi, impacts pollution outside the capital, as well as action in adjoining cities such as Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Noida and Faridabad impact air quality in Delhi," Union Environment secretary C K Mishra said.

Mishra said that actions being taken in Delhi might be emulated in these cities too.
He stressed on deployment of teams comprising state government officials and regulatory bodies for effective implementation of steps identified under the 'Clean Air Campaign'.
The campaign at present is going on in Delhi and has been launched jointly by the Environment Ministry and Delhi government and will go on till February 23.
"The Centre has also directed DMRC, NHAI, PWD, CREDAI and NBCC to enforce strict dust mitigation measures as required under the recently notified dust standards," the statement said.
The ministry said that since the launch of the campaign, significant improvement in air quality has been noticed vis-a-vis business as usual scenario and with respect to last year on same dates.