IEP Chandigarh, October 3
The Haryana Government has prepared an action plan under the policy formulated by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for sustainable improvement in air quality in Delhi-(NCR) region and adjoining areas.
Chief Secretary, Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal , while addressing officers, said that the objective of the State Government is to bring down the level of air pollution by implementing the action plan effectively at the ground level.
He directed the officers to complete their work within the stipulated time period.
Sh. Kaushal said that Air pollution can only be reduced with the inclusive, economical and innovative approach.
He directed the officers to strictly follow the policy of CAQM. Keeping in view the prevailing air quality in Delhi-NCR, there is a need to control various areas which contribute significantly to air pollution. The policy emphasizes measures to reduce air pollution through thermal power plants, clean fuel and electric mobility, public transport management, road traffic management, greenery and sapling plantation, he added.
It was told in the meeting that the government is preparing plan to create effective infastructure to control the fire incidents in MSW and landfill, management of dust from C&D projects, Provision of additional mechanical sweeping and water spraying machines and greening of open areas etc. is being made to control the dust from open areas and roads.
Similarly, the Department of Industry and Commerce is ensuring comprehensive planning for controlling the burning of industrial waste, transition to clean fuels, electric mobility and limited use of generator sets.
In order to reduce the incidents of stubble burning in the state, proper arrangements are being made by the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department for crop residue management including ex situ and in-situ management.
Emphasis is being laid on expansion of Nagar Van and Nagar Vatika to promote greenery, tree plantation programmes in the State. It has been also planned to implement the Miyawaki technique (Miyawaki is a technique pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, that helps build dense, native forests in a short time) for intensive tree plantation in limited urban areas. Apart from this, massive awareness campaigns will also be conducted for mass tree plantation drives.
Additional Chief Secretary, Environment and Climate Change Department, Sh. Vineet Garg, Principal Secretary Transport Department, Sh. Navdeep Virk, Director General of New and Renewable Energy Department, Sh. Hanif Qureshi, Chairman of Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Sh. P. Raghavendra Rao and other officers were present in the meeting.