New Delhi, Nov 14, : .In an effort to minimize the effects of severe air pollution on citizens the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Delhi NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), on Sunday advised Haryana and Rajasthan to close schools and conduct construction and demolition activities (C&D), this week for districts that fall within the National Capital Region (NCR).Apart from the orders issued two days ago, the sub-committee of the CAQM on Sunday further invoked stringent measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and advised states and agencies concerned to be in “complete readiness for implementing ‘Emergency Measures’ as listed under GRAP”.The orders were issued on Sunday by the CAQM sub-committee.
It also invoked the Graded Response Action Plan, (GRAP), and advised the states and agencies to be “completely ready for the implementation of ‘Emergency Measures’ listed under GRAP.
This was decided at a crucial meeting on an emergent basis in wake of the continued deteriorating air quality of the Delhi-NCR region, a release from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change said.
The decision was made at an urgent meeting in response to the continuing deterioration of air quality in Delhi-NCR, according to a Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change release.For over a week or more, Delhi and NCR districts have continuously witnessed “very poor” and “severe” air quality.
Over the past week, Delhi and NCR have experienced “very poor” or “severe” levels of air quality.
While soliciting views from the governments of Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, the Commission advised the departments concerned to consider similar restrictions/ regulations in the respective NCR districts as implemented by the Delhi government on Saturday, including “closure of schools up to November 20 and closure of C&D activities from Sunday till November 17”.
The Commission solicited views from the governments in Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.It advised the concerned departments to look at similar restrictions/regulations in their respective NCR district.
This included “closure of schools until November 20” and “closure of C&D activities between Sunday and November 17”.
Further, the state governments and district administrations in the NCR states were also suggested to issue a Citizen Charter/Advisory for the general public including various steps that need to be taken during various stages/categories of the GRAP.
The NCR state governments and the district administrations were also encouraged to issue a Citizen Charter/Advisory to the general public, which includes various steps to take during the various stages/categories in the GRAP.The Commission also reiterated the need for extra vigilance and concerted measures in various sectors that immediately and adversely impact the air quality.
The Commission reiterated that concerted and extravigilance is needed in all sectors that directly and adversely affect the air quality.
The Commission identified five different areas contributing to the prevailing adverse air quality of Delhi-NCR that needed better focus with intensified efforts by the agencies concerned of the respective state governments.
Five areas were identified by the Commission as contributing to Delhi-NCR’s adverse air quality.They should be given more attention and a greater focus by the state governments.
The areas identified are: control of paddy stubble burning incidences, control of dust from construction and demolition activities, control of dust from roads and open areas, vehicular pollution, and industrial pollution.These areas include control of paddy stubble-burning incidents, control dust from demolition and construction activities, control dust from roads, open areas, vehicular polluting, and industrial pollution.
“CAQM has pulled out all the stops in the battle against air pollution.”CAQM has done everything possible to fight against air pollution.The Commission, from time to time, has been advising various policy initiatives and actions directed towards improvement of air quality in the region.From time to time, the Commission has provided advice on various policy initiatives and actions aimed at improving air quality in the region.
From issuing 43 directions and seven advisories to regularly holding meetings with the departments concerned of the state governments and other agencies concerned of NCR, CAQM has been pro-actively taking stock of efforts taken by the respective states towards abatement of air pollution,” the Ministry release said.CAQM has taken stock of all efforts made by each state towards reducing air pollution, and issued 43 directives and seven advisories.
The CAQM, at the meeting, said that it is of the view that there is a vital need for regular assessments by senior level management in the state governments and the agencies concerned so as to be well aware of the visible impact of the efforts initiated on-ground towards improvement of air quality in Delhi-NCR.At the meeting, the CAQM stated that it believes that regular assessments by top-ranking officials in state governments and agencies are vital to monitor the impact of efforts made on the ground towards improving Delhi-NCR’s air quality.
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