In a high-level task force meeting here today, under the chair of P.K. Mishra, principal secretary to the Prime Minister, key stakeholders met to discuss among themselves the issue of air pollution in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) especially in winters. A critical need for immediate action was discussed regarding implementing air pollution controls and speeding up the transition to electric vehicles.
The meeting, which included a host of top officials such as the cabinet secretary, Delhi police commissioner, and senior representatives of a number of ministries, was centered around a few critical initiatives designed to control air quality issues. Mishra asked chief secretaries of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to enforce an aggressive action plan toward dissuading the practice of burning stubble, besides offering incentives for effective use of CRM machines.
Stubble Burning and Crop Residue Management –
Management of paddy straw, which significantly contributes to air pollution during the winter season when stubble burning is most rife, was one of the most important focus areas. According to estimates by Rajesh Verma, chairman of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Punjab is estimated to produce about 19.52 million tonnes of paddy straw alone. The state has decided to manage 11.5 million tonnes through in-situ methods and ex-situ on the rest.
Haryana is not far behind with an estimate of 8.10 million tonnes of paddy straw for the season. In situ management of 3.3 million tonnes will be taken up by the state using its resources of 90,945 CRM machines and 6,794 custom hiring centers.
Shift to Electric Vehicles
In the meeting, Mishra stated that induction of electric vehicles is an extremely critical component of the air pollution control strategy. Moreover, he also told states to double their e-bus fleet under the PM eBus Sewa Scheme and amplify 10,000 electric buses in the country. He also mentioned the necessity of robust EV charging infrastructure development in NCR regions to meet the already booming number of electric vehicles.
GRAP Implementation: The meeting also touched upon the Graded Response Action Plan, a detailed anti-pollution measure which is put in place during winter time. Mishra demanded implementation with firecracker bans and so forth immediately and effectually to manage air quality.
Moreover, Mishra called on the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to expedite the collection of biomass and accelerate the establishment of compressed biogas plants so that alternative alternatives to burning stubble can be provided.
Co-Firing Projects in Thermal Plants
Co-firing of paddy straw in thermal power plants was one of the most important issues of discussion. It was gathered through sources that 2 million tonnes of paddy straw are to be co-fired in 11 thermal power plants located in NCR. The meeting stressed constant monitoring of these thermal plants in the wake of co-firing targets, along with levying of penalties upon default to reinforce the accountability mechanism.
Verma also said that 220 of 240 industrial areas in the NCR have come within the gas infrastructure and further areas would also be brought under it soon. It will reduce dependence on the more pollution-causing fuels much and result in quality air.
Monitoring of Dust Pollution
The meeting discussed the installation of remote monitoring systems through a web portal to combat dust pollution due to construction and demolition activities. Newer projects with an area of more than 500 square meters are also now strictly required to register so that better control can be exerted over dust pollution in the region.
Conclusion
The high-level meeting did witness renewed commitment by stakeholders to deal with air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region with holistic policies that entail preventing stubble burning, promoting electric vehicles, and proper management of thermal plants. These are but a few strategies within a comprehensive initiative for enhancing air quality and health for the public in one of the most polluted regions in the world.
Source: [Official Government Statement]