Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar met ministers and top officials of Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to discuss the issue of rising air pollution in in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), largely owing to the burning of paddy stubble in Punjab.

The Centre will immediately set up a control room in the Central Pollution Control Board to undertake a daily review of levels of air pollution and monitor air quality in Delhi and NCR, Javadekar told media persons after the meeting.

He also said that directions will be issued shortly under Section 18 of the Air Act to improve air quality in Delhi and NCR.

The States and their agencies were asked to do more in terms of checking stubble burning and bio-mass burning, addressing construction demolition waste rule, improving waste management and increasing sensitivity about lane issues.

“A decision was taken to issue orders to all agencies and corporations under Section 18 of the Air Act to strengthen hands of the implementers and give them some legal force,” Javadekar said.

The Centre expressed support for the National Green Tribunal’s order of imposing an environmental tax on all commercial vehicles entering Delhi and has asked the State to put in place the logistics required to implement it.

“We have already supported the NGT’s decision to implement the tax. However, the implementation part does not happen through a switch on-switch off button. Logistics have to be prepared. We have asked them (Delhi Government) to prepare it early and implement it fast,” Javadekar said.

The Minister reviewed the one-year action plan submitted by various State governments in July this year at the meeting. All the State governments will submit three-month reports to the Centre on the steps taken to reduce air pollution and improve the ambient air quality.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW