Amid the rising level of air pollution in the national capital, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has directed the authorities to identify and take action against them by identifying excessive pollution industries, institutions and construction sites.
While chairing an emergency review meeting with senior officials of the Environment Department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Sirsa expressed concern at the level of the growing air quality index (AQI).
He issued strict instructions to the authorities to tighten the sources of pollution and ensure timely implementation of measures to prevent measures on it.
Sirsa instructed the officials to identify excessive pollution industries, institutions and construction sites and take action against them and stop the work at construction sites violating dust control norms.
According to a statement, the minister asked the officials to spray water on major construction sites and pollution ‘hotspots’ and deploy ‘Anti-Smog Gun’. He also underlined the need for air quality monitoring in real-time in sensitive places like schools and hospitals.
Sirsa said in the meeting, “The responsibility of the environment is not the collective duty of all the department but the collective duty.” He called for a strong inter-departmental coordination to reduce the problem. He directed the teams of Delhi Municipal Corporation and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to submit daily progress reports and warned of strict punitive action against those who repeatedly violated.
He said, “Delhi cannot tolerate delay or negligence. Every officer should take it as a health emergency. ”
Sirsa also emphasized the need to deal with dust pollution from raw roads and open garbage throwing places and directed the authorities to intensify public awareness campaign, especially RWA, market associations and construction agencies.
