Govt issues instructions to agencies over pollution control
The Delhi Government has issued instructions to all concerned agencies that no negligence of any kind would be tolerated in matters related to pollution control.
The Government also directed all departments to work in continuous coordination so that pollution can be controlled more effectively and consistently. The directions were made after a high-level meeting was held on Thursday at Lok Niwas (Raj Niwas) on controlling Delhi’s pollution, chaired by the Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
At the meeting, it was made clear that dust in the capital must be controlled under all circumstances. Multi-level efforts are already underway for this. The meeting also highlighted that waste and debris are major contributors to pollution. To address this, departments were instructed to put in greater effort towards road cleaning and related tasks.
The meeting was attended by Delhi Government’s Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma, and senior officials of the concerned departments.
The DDA officials were directed to ensure that vacant land under their ownership in various parts of the capital is completely cleared of waste and debris, and to ensure that such sites are not used again for dumping. MCD officials were also instructed to conduct an intensive cleanliness drive across Delhi, along with using additional measures to tackle dust.
Providing details of the meeting, the Chief Minister said that negligence by any department or official regarding pollution control would not be tolerated. District Magistrates have been instructed to personally inspect the cleanliness and pollution-control measures being undertaken in their respective areas.
The District Magistrates are also being authorised to record the ACRs of government employees found negligent. She informed that a separate review committee headed by the Chief Secretary has been constituted, which will review pollution-control measures on a daily basis and issue orders or advisories thereafter. Compliance with these instructions will be mandatory for all departments.
The Chief Minister emphasised that the government’s goal is to find a permanent solution to pollution, so that people do not suffer now or in the future. She noted that mist spray systems have been installed in the ITO area as part of this commitment, and she inspected them today. Pilot tests of the mist spray system have shown positive results. Accordingly, a detailed plan is now being prepared for their installation across all major roads in Delhi. At present, they are being installed at pollution hotspots to neutralise pollutants.
The DPCC has been directed to issue challans against government departments found negligent in pollution-control efforts or cleanliness. Additionally, FIRs will be registered against Government agencies that carry out road cutting without permission or fail to restore the roads afterwards. The CM made it clear that the head of the department concerned would be held accountable.
