Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussian on Wednesday reviewed Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) mandated by the Supreme Court, to mitigate air pollution in Delhi in view of the prevailing metrological conditions in the whole of northern India.
Importantly, Delhi recorded season's coldest day with 3.6 degree Celsius temperature on Wednesday. The Meteorological scientists said that the air quality has improved due to relatively good wind speed. Reviewing the preparation plans, Hussian has asked Public Works Department (PWD) officials for mechanical sweeping of roads and water sprinkling to ensure less contribution of harmful pollutants.
Taking cognisance on the current prevailing situation, the Minister asked Environment division to deploy civil defence volunteers who will keep the tab on burning of dray leaves, woods and other factors contributing pollution.
In the meeting, this was informed to Minister that present conditions in Delhi are temperature inversion, meteorological conditions and low wind speed which do not allow the pollutants to disperse easily in the atmosphere and hence the AQI is high. Transport Department was directed to continue enforcement action with more vigour in the coming weeks also and act against violators.
Hussain directed all three Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCDs) to ensure control of instances of burning in open and compliance of dust control measures, failing which senior officers should be held accountable. Commissioners of MCDs/ PWD and Delhi Fire Services for undertaking water sprinkling from high rise buildings especially for settling the suspended dust particles.
They were also directed to ensure that during the period of ban on construction, no one indulges in such activities and that violators are strictly dealt with as per the law.
In view of the prevalence of 'severe' pollution in the national capital, industrial activities in pollution hotspots of Wazirpur, Mundka, Narela, Bawana, Sahibabad and Faridabad, and construction work across the Delhi-NCR were ordered to remain shut till Wednesday."Further, for effective control of dust, conditions stipulated in sanctioned building plan for construction of buildings must be strictly
followed by the owners and builders," he said.
The minister also directed that joint teams of officials from the Revenue Department, municipal corporations concerned and civil defence volunteers deputed in each of the districts for monitoring of construction activity and taking preventing and punitive action against the violators of Dust Control Norms may be continued for the time being.
Hussain also directed all the stakeholder departments and agencies to remain prepared for taking mandated actions under 'very poor' and 'severe/ severe plus' categories of air quality index in Delhi.