New Delhi witnessed a decisive push against air pollution on Tuesday as Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired a high-level meeting to scrutinize action plans for Rohtak, Manesar, Panipat, and Karnal. These NCR cities have been grappling with poor air quality, and the minister expressed deep concern over persistently high PM10 levels.
The discussion zeroed in on critical issues like solid waste management, particularly construction and demolition (C&D) waste plaguing industrial zones. Yadav directed immediate prioritization of funding and approvals to tackle these challenges. He announced an upcoming meeting with the Haryana Chief Minister to fast-track solutions and stressed integrating all NCR cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for uniform pollution control efforts.
Officials presented detailed reports, prompting Yadav to issue a series of directives. He ordered a comprehensive data collection on all industrial units, including those with Consent to Establish (CTE), Consent to Operate (CTO), electricity connections, and GST registrations. District Magistrates across NCR were tasked with identifying non-compliant and illegal factories, especially those lacking Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) or air pollution control devices.
To bolster real-time air quality monitoring, Yadav mandated expanding the number of Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) linked to the Sameer app. He emphasized public awareness campaigns targeting pollution-generating activities and advocated for appropriately sized electric public vehicles based on road widths and passenger volumes in smaller cities.
Mechanical road sweeping machines and handheld vacuum cleaners were highlighted for efficient street cleaning, with a strict rule to procure only electric or CNG-based equipment under operational expense models. Dust control measures included planting local shrubs on open areas and footpaths, alongside prompt pothole repairs.
Traffic-related pollution mitigation featured prominently, with instructions to develop short-term and long-term smart traffic management plans. For C&D waste, setting up collection centers every 5 kilometers and linking them to nearby processing units was ordered.
Yadav urged officials to take ownership, involve local communities, and implement innovative yet practical ground-level solutions. All action points from the meeting will be compiled for real-time tracking by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), aiming for a 15-20% reduction in Air Quality Index (AQI) across NCR by 2026. Regular target-based actions and accountability mechanisms will ensure progress.
The meeting included representatives from CAQM, Environment Ministry, Housing and Urban Affairs, Agriculture Ministry, NHAI, Central Pollution Control Board, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, and local commissioners and district magistrates.