Peoples’ Participation and Role of Media Crucial to Spread Awarenss on Improvement of Air Quality: Javadekar
The Government today held a meeting with Ministers and officials of National Capital Region to review the situation arising out of air pollution in Delhi airshed area. Interacting with mediapersons after chairing the meeting, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar said that peoples’ participation and the role of media are equally important to spread awareness and bring about an improvement in the air quality of Delhi. Mr. Javadekar said that all the state governments and agencies have decided to work collectively and also involve the citizens to improve the air quality of Delhi and reduce pollution. A decision to work according to timelines and with synergy between various organisations was also taken at the meeting. A three-month action plan and another action plan for one year have been formulated to tackle the four main focus areas - agriculture, construction waste and demolition waste and vehicular pollution. Air quality monitoring stations will be installed in every state and by every organisation.
In Delhi, one lakh vehicles have been challaned. Efforts are also being made to ensure smooth traffic and also to ensure that overloaded vehicles do not enter Delhi. Testing of a new PUC checking mechanism is being carried out in Delhi and is likely to be completed by August-end. Under the new system of pollution checking, there is no scope for tampering with the results.
In Uttar Pradesh, 57 industrial units have been put under constant watch in Ghaziabad. In Rajasthan, 30 brick kilns have been shut down, nine stone crushing units have been issued a showcause notice and taken action against 12 other units. In Punjab, bailer machines are being employed to reduce instances of stubble burning on and off the fields. A suggestion has also been made to Uttar Pradesh government to provide subsidy for bailer machines.
The meeting was attended by Uttar Pradesh Minister, Mr. Abhishek Mishra, Environment and Forest Minister of Delhi, Mr. Asim Ahmed Khan. Officers from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Central Pollution Board (CPCB), New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Traffic Police, as well as officials from the governments of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi were also present at the meeting.