Bhupender Yadav pushes for centralised monitoring to combat air pollution in Delhi-NCR

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, on Tuesday emphasised the need for an Integrated Command and Control Centre for monitoring air pollution control measures by different agencies in Delhi-NCR.

Yadav, while chairing a high-level review meeting in New Delhi called to assess the ongoing measures for the prevention and control of air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region, reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to improving air quality in the region through coordinated action and collaboration with all stakeholders, including citizens.

Advertisement

The meeting witnessed participation of key stakeholders, including the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the governments of NCT of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and the concerned agencies.

The minister emphasised integration of different apps to facilitate the citizen’s participation in the fight against air pollution.

During the meeting, Yadav reviewed the progress on critical interventions such as the installation and real-time monitoring of Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS), deployment of Air Pollution Control Devices, and the execution of an Integrated Waste Management Plan for efficient waste collection and disposal, potential for stubble burning in the upcoming harvest season.

Efforts to scale up the use of Mechanized Road Sweepers to reduce dust pollution and maintain cleaner roads were also discussed in detail.

Emphasis was placed on enhancing urban greenery through massive plantation drives under the flagship initiative ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, which is being implemented in mission mode across Delhi and NCR.

The Minister suggested focused interventions with maximum impact for reduction of air pollution.

He stressed on the need for expediting various initiatives underway, like the setting up of the OCEMS and APCDs in key polluting industries.