Chandigarh takes steps to fight pollution

Experiencing a ‘very poor’ air quality for the past few days, a task force constituted under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the city has decided to take certain measures to combat air pollution.

A meeting of the task force was held today to discuss the urgent measures required to address the increasing pollution in the city. It was chaired by TC Nautiyal, Member Secretary, Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee . The representatives from the Municipal Corporation (MC), Traffic Police and the Department of Industries were also present.

Stubble burning was considered as one of the major causes of the increasing air pollution. To improve the air quality, which has reached the “very poor” category with air quality index (AQI) hovering between 301 and 400, the task force has decided to take certain measures. The MC will ensure sprinkling/washing of roads at night to suppress road side dust, mainly arising due to vehicular movement. There will be no manual sweeping without sprinkling of water. Further, the MC will ensure that mechanical sweeping is done with water sprinkling only and that there is regular use of anti-smog guns/water sprinklers for removing dust collected on roadside trees. The machines will be run for at least 12 hours daily and maintained accordingly.

The MC may consider deploying water jetting machines for the suppression of roadside dust and will ensure that there is no loose soil alongside roads.

Acting tough on vehicular emission, members of the task force stated that the MC might consider doubling the parking fee to discourage vehicular traffic.

The MC or the Engineering Department will ensure that all construction sites have dust-mitigation measures in place such as green mesh/construction shade nets, repeated sprinkling of water and anti-smog guns. In case of non-compliance, the construction activities will be stopped. The MC will also make sure that there is no open burning of leaves and other waste.

Institutions such as the PGI, Punjab Engineering College and Panjab University will use anti-smog guns/water sprinklers for dust mitigation, especially at construction sites.

The Traffic Police were told to prevent snarl-ups outside schools and intersections. They may ensure a strict implementation of Pollution Under Control (PUC) certification.

Pre-recorded voice messages (like switching of engines at traffic points) may be played at 40 smart junctions. “The police may ensure challaning for visible emission from buses, three-wheelers etc,” stated the force.

The force requested the Transport Department to promote electric vehicles and carpooling.

Graded Response Action Plan in force

• Use of diesel generator sets will be strictly banned in the city, except in case of emergency/essential services
• Construction sites need to have dust-mitigation measures in place such as green mesh/construction shade nets, repeated sprinkling
• Graded Response Action Plan comes into effect in city. It is a framework designed to manage air quality and mitigate effects of pollution