Civic bodies ignore cutoffs to curb pollution
Gurgaon: Government agencies in Gurgaon are struggling to meet their deadlines to bring down air pollution in the city, even as the Delhi government is preparing to roll out the second phase of its odd-even formula.
In the end of January this year, Centre Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had urged all NCR civic bodies to work in a time-bound manner to cut down air pollution in the cities. Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) later came out with city-specific deadlines to bring down the Gurgaon's air pollution levels. However, most of these deadlines have lapsed, with little progress visible on the ground. Measures like retrofitting of diesel vehicles with particulate filters and ensuring strict enforcement of a ban on the burning of agricultural waste, which were to be carried out with immediate deadlines, have not been acted on yet.
Other works, like ensuring construction material is transported in closed/covered vessels, which had a deadline of 30 days from the time of the CPCB notification, are nowhere near being done.
Work on activities like enforcing a strict ban on open burning of biomass, and sytematic collection of horticulture waste, are reportedly in progress, though CPCB's deadline had asked the administration to work on the issues immediately.
HSPCB had also issued letters to all related government agencies to ensure the deadlines were met. However, sources said the state board has been struggling to put various guidelines in place due to lack of support from the regional transport authority (RTA).
Giving an example, a source in HSPCB said, "There have been many instances when offenders have gone scot free due to lack of support from RTA. Officials of HSPCB conducted a surprise check on vehicle pollution checking centres and found that two of them were conducting fake pollution under control (PUC) tests. The report was sent to RTA about two months ago. Yet, the centres continue to operate till date, and no action has been taken by RTA against them."
An official of HSPCB added that a check on diesel autorickshaws is also necessary to rein in pollution.
"For diesel autos, we have to consider various factors, like ensuring the vehicles are properly serviced, so that they can keep their pollution impact to a minimum. The RTA has to play a major role in helping us keep a check on diesel autos," he said.
Environmentalists also expressed concern over the lack of the RTA's support in the enforcing of anti-pollution norms. "Diesel autos are a significant contributor to air pollution. Diesel combustion leads to increase in particulate matter in the atmosphere.
Even though diesel autos are convenient for commuters, strict action needs to be taken against those who don't get their vehicles checked regularly. If possible, these autos should be converted into CNG," said Yogesh Kumar, an environmentalist.
In the end of January this year, Centre Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had urged all NCR civic bodies to work in a time-bound manner to cut down air pollution in the cities. Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) later came out with city-specific deadlines to bring down the Gurgaon's air pollution levels. However, most of these deadlines have lapsed, with little progress visible on the ground. Measures like retrofitting of diesel vehicles with particulate filters and ensuring strict enforcement of a ban on the burning of agricultural waste, which were to be carried out with immediate deadlines, have not been acted on yet.
Other works, like ensuring construction material is transported in closed/covered vessels, which had a deadline of 30 days from the time of the CPCB notification, are nowhere near being done.
Work on activities like enforcing a strict ban on open burning of biomass, and sytematic collection of horticulture waste, are reportedly in progress, though CPCB's deadline had asked the administration to work on the issues immediately.
HSPCB had also issued letters to all related government agencies to ensure the deadlines were met. However, sources said the state board has been struggling to put various guidelines in place due to lack of support from the regional transport authority (RTA).
Giving an example, a source in HSPCB said, "There have been many instances when offenders have gone scot free due to lack of support from RTA. Officials of HSPCB conducted a surprise check on vehicle pollution checking centres and found that two of them were conducting fake pollution under control (PUC) tests. The report was sent to RTA about two months ago. Yet, the centres continue to operate till date, and no action has been taken by RTA against them."
An official of HSPCB added that a check on diesel autorickshaws is also necessary to rein in pollution.
"For diesel autos, we have to consider various factors, like ensuring the vehicles are properly serviced, so that they can keep their pollution impact to a minimum. The RTA has to play a major role in helping us keep a check on diesel autos," he said.
Environmentalists also expressed concern over the lack of the RTA's support in the enforcing of anti-pollution norms. "Diesel autos are a significant contributor to air pollution. Diesel combustion leads to increase in particulate matter in the atmosphere.
Even though diesel autos are convenient for commuters, strict action needs to be taken against those who don't get their vehicles checked regularly. If possible, these autos should be converted into CNG," said Yogesh Kumar, an environmentalist.
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