New Delhi: Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have completed only 40-60% of the pollution control measures targeted in the respective state annual action plans ahead of winter, according to progress recorded till Sept 30.
Delhi has met its target of operationalisation of 13 new continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations. However, it has met the proposed timeline of adding 130 secondary construction and demolition waste collection points.
“We have asked the states to expedite the implementation of pending measures during the review meetings,” said a CAQM official. “Delhi has added new mechanised road sweeping machines, but it is yet to procure medium and small machines to clean narrow and medium-sized roads,” said the official. “Of the total 28 congestion points requiring long-term intervention, Delhi has fixed just eight points by Sept 30,” said the official.
The annual plans, prepared by the respective states, were submitted to Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which is tracking their progress. “It is also still to meet its target for end-to-end paving of roads. It often happens that a newly repaired road is dug up by other agencies. To avoid such situations, we have asked states to ensure better coordination among agencies,” he added.