Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Assesses Measures To Mitigate Air Pollution In Delhi-NCR

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, today chaired a review meeting to assess measures undertaken by Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan for mitigation of air pollution in Delhi-NCR.

During the meeting, the Minister directed all agencies to move beyond planning and ensure rigorous, time-bound and coordinated enforcement on the ground. Emphasising that air pollution does not recognise State boundaries, he called for coordinated implementation of matching pollution control measures across NCR.

Mr Yadav also stressed real-time monitoring through Integrated Command and Control Centres and direct accountability of field officers for violations. Furthermore, State Governments were directed to nominate Secretary level officials for 7 cities in Haryana, 4 cities in UP and 4 cities in Rajasthan for making them responsible for implementation of pollution control measures through field visits and report to CAQM on weekly basis.

In the meeting CAQM was requested to issue notices to non-performing officers. Meanwhile the CPCB was directed to immediately seal the identified 191 non-conforming polluting industries, which despite repeated directions had not even placed orders for installation of Air Pollution Control Devices. Concluding the review, Mr Yadav emphasised that coordinated efforts, field-level accountability and visible action on the ground are essential to effectively address the challenge of air pollution in Delhi-NCR.

The meeting held today was attended by Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Haryana Environment Minister Rao Narbir Singh and UP Environment Minister Arun Kumar Saxena virtually.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said that Mr Yadav has held more than 30 review meetings with NCR State Governments, Municipal Bodies over the past one year. It added that these meetings are aimed at strengthening air pollution preparedness and ensuring effective implementation of control measures.