Multi-pronged strategy needed for bad-air fight in NCR, says PMO

NEW DELHI: The prime minister's office (PMO) on Friday reviewed several measures being taken by various stakeholders to deal with the air pollution problem in Delhi-NCR and emphasised on adopting a multi-pronged approach to handle the situation.

Track the pollution level in your city

Chaired by P K Mishra, principal secretary to the Prime Minister, the high-level task force meeting also discussed the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), its monitoring and measures to improve its enforcement.

Mishra during the meeting said that the strict implementation of the actions listed under GRAP by all concerned is critical to prevent worsening of air quality.

According to a statement from the PMO, Mishra discussed in detail about various measures being undertaken to reduce the impact of different sources of air pollution, including industrial pollution, vehicular pollution, dust from construction and demolition (C&D) activities, dust from roads, burning of municipal solid waste (MSW), biomass and miscellaneous waste, agricultural stubble burning and dispersed sources.

Greening and plantation initiatives to abate air pollution were also deliberated during the meeting, the statement said.

In an effort to ensure reduction of the paddy stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, Mishra instructed close monitoring of the issue by chief secretaries of the three states.

He advised the in-situ management of paddy stubble through Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines, and use of bio-decomposers. Mishra also advised the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) to improve the technologies.

Elaborating on ex-situ management of paddy stubble, he advised working on developing economic use of paddy straw. He also stressed on developing adequate storage facilities for baled straw along with infrastructure for baling, briquetting and pelleting for effective ex-situ utilisation of paddy straw, the statement said.

As part of the multi-pronged approach to be taken, Mishra stressed on expanding gas infrastructure and supply in the entire NCR by March 2024, and ensuring expeditious supply of biomass on demand.