MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)
(a) & (b) The Union Government has called for several meetings with Northern States Viz. Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi, regarding Crop Residue management and Air Quality Management. The following directions were issued to the states:
a. Optimal utilization of crop residue management machinery by using FARMS App and intensifying efforts through administrative and IEC (Information, Education and Communication) activities.
b. Closure of hot mix plants and stone crushers till January 20, 2020.
c. Frequency of mechanized cleaning of roads and water sprinkling to be increased particularly on the road stretches with high dust generation potential.
d. It shall be ensured that guidelines / standard operating procedures for dust mitigation at construction sites are strictly adhered to. In case of violations, strict action should be taken against the violators like imposition of penalty / temporary stoppage of construction activities.
e. The states of Punjab and Haryana must take immediate stringent actions to curb stubble burning Biomass burning in Delhi and other NCR towns must also be strictly checked.
f. Agencies must ensure compliance of orders of Hon’ble courts and national Green Tribunal regarding banning of sale and use of firecrackers.
g. Agencies must ensure that there are no incidences of open burning of wood/ garbage/ biomass/ industrial waste. In case of violations, penalty should be imposed in accordance to law.
(c) to (e) The Government has taken several actions to curb air pollution in Delhi-NCR region, which interalia includes following:
• A Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas’ has been constituted through promulgation of an ordinance to replace multiple Committees and to streamline public participation, inter-State cooperation, expert involvement, research and innovation so as to mitigate air pollution in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas.
• Comprehensive Action Plan (CAP) and Graded Response Action Plan identifying timelines and implementing agency for actions identified for prevention, control and mitigation of air pollution in Delhi and NCR has been notified.
• All operational brick kilns have been shifted to zig-zag technology in Delhi and NCR.
• Installation of on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices for all red category industries in Delhi and NCR.
• A new Central Sector Scheme on ‘Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for in-situ management of Crop Residue in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi’ has been launched.
• Banning of burning of biomass.
• Advisory issued to Implementing agencies and State Boards in Delhi NCR regarding use of mechanised rod sweeping and dust suppressant.
• Development of mechanism for redressal of public complaints regarding air pollution issues in Delhi and NCR (through ‘Sameer App’, ‘Emails’([email protected]) and ‘Social Media Networks’ (Facebook and Twitter) etc.
• Concerted actions as above have had a positive impact on air quality of Delhi-NCR region and improvement has been noted in the Air Quality as under:
2016 2017 2018 2019
Number of Good to
Moderate days 108 152 159 182
Number of Poor to Severe days 246 213 206 183
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