Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav today chaired a high-level review meeting on Air Pollution in Delhi NCR. Mr Yadav asked authorities of all concerned States and Union Territories to submit concrete action taken reports on air pollution management efforts. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said, this was the 4th such review meeting to assess the ongoing measures for the prevention and control of air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region. The Minister also asked the concerned authorities to prepare district-wise plan for crop-residue management and conduct year-round monitoring of stubble burning cases.
Mr Yadav also asked the district authorities to undertake capacity building and training of farmers on operating Crop Residue Management machines, while ensuring their widespread access. Mr Yadav also stressed on ensuring zero-tolerance and maintaining constant vigil against open burning of Municipal Solid Waste. He also asked the Municipal Authorities of NCR cities to prepare a strict timeline to bridge the gaps in the Legacy Waste Management and ensure its accelerated liquidation. He also called for the installation of Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems and Air Pollution Control Devices to be taken up in mission mode in the Red Category industries in Delhi NCR.
Reviewing the road redevelopment roadmaps, the Minister asked the authorities to ensure the quality and timely completion of the road construction works. He also encouraged authorities to undertake road-side greening works, to minimise dust generation and suggested Municipal Corporations in NCR to start developing saplings in Nurseries on a wide-scale on degraded forest lands to give a boost to green cover in the region.
The Minister also asked Delhi Traffic Police to prepare Traffic Management Plans for the identified traffic congestion hotspots and expedite the implementation of Intelligent Traffic Management System in the National Capital, to minimise vehicular pollution generated due to traffic jams. Delhi Minister for Environment, Forest and Wildlife Manjinder Singh Sirsa was also present during the meeting.
