Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been reviewing air quality and meteorological scenario in Delhi-NCR on continuous basis.
As per the forecast received from Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the ventilation conditions are likely to slow down in Delhi causing poor dispersion of pollutants due to which, AQI is predicted to be in Very Poor category for coming days, according to a PIB release.
In view of deteriorating air quality (AQ) and likely increase in activities during New Year celebrations, CPCB had issued an order on December 23, 2020, directing Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and SPCBs in NCR states : Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, to ensure the following:
●Hot mix plants and stone crushers shall remain closed all the time till January 2, 2021.
●Frequency of mechanised cleaning of roads and water sprinkling to be increased particularly on the road stretches with high dust generation potential.
●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.
●Agencies must ensure compliance of orders of the Courts and National Green Tribunal(NGT) regarding banning of sale and use of firecrackers.
As per NGT order dated October 15, 2019, in the matter of Utkarsh Panwar Vs. Central Pollution Control Board, all brick kilns in NCR are already closed.
CPCB has deployed 50 teams for field inspections in Delhi –NCR (with special emphasis on hotspots) since October 15, 2020, to assess the ground level scenario and ensure enforcement of mitigation measures for control of air pollution in Delhi-NCR. These teams have been visiting pollution hotspots and other areas in Delhi NCR region and reporting the violations of various guidelines/norms by posting these on the SAMEER App.
DPCC, SPCBs of NCR states and various central and state agencies have been requested to take effective steps immediately which will help in controlling pollution.