Govt. issues Directions for Pollution Control and Improving Ambient Air Quality in Delhi and NCR

The Centre today issued directions, to all agencies falling under Delhi airshed area, under Section 18 of Air Act, 1981, to control air pollution and improve the Ambient Air Quality in Delhi and National Capital Region. The following is the text of the directions under Section 18 of the Air Act, 1981 regarding prevention, control or abatement of air pollution and improvement of National Ambient Air Quality in Delhi and National Capital Region issued here today: “Whereas, under Section 17 of the Air Act, 1981, one of the functions of the State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees is to plan comprehensive programmes for prevention, control or abatement of air pollution and to secure the execution thereof; Whereas, levels of Particulate Matter exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standards 2009 in the National Capital Region ; Whereas, the primary sources of air pollution in NCR States are: a) vehicular emissions; b) burning of biomass, Crop residues, Municipal Solid Waste and Garbage, c) Road dust; d) Constructions and Demolitions; and g) Industrial emissions, etc; Whereas, serious concerns have been expressed by Hon’ble Supreme Court, High Court of Delhi and the National Green Tribunal in the matter from time to time and specific directions have been issued; Whereas, there have been regular meetings between Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change with the Government of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to evolve and implement short and long-term action plans; Whereas, the concerned State Governments have agreed to implement identified actions on short and long term basis; Whereas, clean air is a matter of right and it is necessary to implement steps towards improvement of Air Quality in the National Capital Region; Whereas, functions of the Central Pollution Control Board under Section 16 of the Air Act, 1981 include improvement of quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country; Whereas, steps are urgently required to improve air quality adopting a multipronged and integrated approach including close monitoring of implementation; NOW, THEREFORE, in view of the above stated facts, the following directions in exercise of powers under section 18 of the Air Act, 1981 are hereby issued in order to improve the air quality in Delhi and NCR as per timelines indicated: Control of Vehicular Emissions: Sl. Action Points Time Frame for implementation i) Launch extensive awareness drive against polluting vehicles; Immediate ii) Ensure Strict action against visibly polluting vehicles; Immediate iii) Install weigh in motion bridges at Delhi borders to prevent overloading; Immediate iv) Take steps to prevent parking of vehicles in the non-designated areas; Immediate v) Introduce early alarm system for benefit of commuters related to traffic congestion on major routes for route diversion ; Immediate vi) Consider introducing plan for Flexi/staggered timings to minimize peak movement of vehicles on the road; Immediate vii) Take steps for retrofitting of diesel vehicles with Particulate Filters; Immediate viii) De-congest pathways; Immediate ix) Synchronize traffic movements / Introduce intelligent traffic systems for lane-driving; 30 days x) Install vapor recovery system in fueling stations 30 days xi) Take steps for installation of remote sensor based PUC system etc. Action Points Time Frame for implementation i) Take stringent action against open burning of bio-mass/leaves/tyres etc to control such activities and submit periodic status reports; Immediate ii) Ensure proper collection of horticulture waste and composting–cum-gardening approach; Immediate iii) Ensure strict enforcement of ban on burning of agriculture waste and crop residues Immediate iv) Prohibit use of coal in hotels and restaurants and eliminate use of kerosene for cooking in Delhi; 60 days Control of Industrial Air Pollution; Sl. Action Points Time Frame for implementation i) Set-up helpline in States/UT for taking action against reported non-compliance; Immediate ii) Evolve a system of reporting of garbage /municipal solid waste burning through mobile based applications and other social media platform linked with Central and State level Control Rooms ; 30 days iii) Establish Standard Operating Procedure to provide quick and effective response to complaints 30 days iv) Take steps for maximizing coverage of LPG / PNG for domestic cooking purposes with intention of achieving 100%; 90 days v) Ensure DG sets meeting the standards only be allowed to operate 30 days vi) Promote use of LPG instead of coal in restaurants/ dhabas/ road side eateries; 90 days vii) Undertake Satellite based monitoring for tracking and enforcing agriculture waste burning; 90 days viii) Take steps for setting up of bio-mass based power generation units to avoid bio-mass burning.