Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Monday said the number of environment marshals should be increased in the city to combat air pollution. In a meeting chaired by him and attended by Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain and top officials of departments concerned, the detailed action plan of various agencies to combat air pollution in the city was reviewed.

A fortnight long ‘Clean Air for Delhi Campaign’ jointly organised by the Delhi government and the Centre, will be launched on February 23 to create awareness against air pollution, Environment Secretary Anil Kumar Singh said in the meeting.A fresh air quality assessment study was being discussed with the IIT Kanpur, he said. Baijal directed for shortening timelines of various activities for solid waste management by the municipal corporations, a statement from the LG office said.

“He also directed for increasing the number of environment marshals after a thorough assessment of their performance,” the statement said. Top officials from environment and transport departments detailed work done by their departments to combat air pollution.

The environment secretary said that 83 home guards have been deployed as environment marshals in the municipal wards. They are connected with sanitation inspectors of respective MCDs and supervisors of Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) through Whatsapp group.

A final notification on approved fuels would be issued after February 15. The DPCC has initiated a drive to convert all industrial units from using fossil fuels to PNG (piped natural gas), he added. The transport commissioner informed during the meeting that over 35,000 commercial vehicles have been challaned recently for not having proper fitness test certificates.

The official also detailed various other initiatives of Transport department such as e-challan, Delhi Scrapping of Old Vehicles Rules, 2018, Parking Rules 2017, opening of fitness test centres and bus depots for e-buses, that were aimed at fighting air pollution.