NOIDA: A six-member expert committee constituted by the National Green Tribunal to determine 'sources' and 'extent' of pollution in Noida has taken cognizance of diesel generators operating in large numbers, due to lack of adequate power, for causing sound and air pollution. The committee, in its report submitted to the tribunal on Tuesday, has also held inoperative traffic signals and lack of traffic management responsible for causing vehicular jams which lead to air pollution.
The panel was formed by tribunal chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar in January during the hearing of a case pertaining to high pollution levels in Noida. The Noida Entrepreneurs' Association had pleaded in the case that industries alone are not responsible for rising pollution levels. However, punching holes into these claims, the panel has detected several industries functioning without proper effluent treatment plants, hazardous waste storage facilities and fume collection systems.
The survey lasted two weeks and the panel was led by the head & advisor of the control of pollution division of the Union environment ministry. Apart from a technical expert from IIT-Roorkee appointed by the Noida Authority, the panel also included member secretaries of the Central Pollution Control Board and UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB).
The committee has recommended for creation of a 'comprehensive mobility plan' by Noida Authority for traffic management. As per the findings of the panel, there has been a manifold increase in the number of vehicles registered in Noida - from 16,276 in 2004 to 2,77,172 in 2012. The report states that "though construction of expressways, flyovers, underpasses and Metro rail have been undertaken to combat vehicular pollution, there are frequent jams, inoperative signals, etc." The panel has recommended a plan to reduce vehicular pollution that would include a traffic management master plan, an intelligent transport system and an efficient public transport system.
The committee has held diesel generators responsible for sound pollution, besides causing air pollution. The report states that "many industries are using old generators without acoustic enclosures. Similar problems exist in residential areas." The panel has recommended the UPPCB to initiate action against industries using generators that do not have sound-proofing mechanisms and adequate height of exhaust pipes. It has recommended the state power corporation for continuous supply of electricity to all areas.
The committee also found municipal solid waste littered at a few places and stated in its report that this not only gives a shabby appearance to the city but also releases foul stench, besides clogging storm-water drains. Noida generates 400 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily. "Noida Authority should implement a state-of-the-art solid waste management system. It should include the sludge management of storm-water drains," states the report. In addition, the committee has also recommended for a comprehensive storm-water management plan to be developed on the GIS platform.
To tackle industrial pollution, the panel has recommended for upgrading of effluent-treatment plants of industrial units and construction of physical barriers and watering of dusty roads around construction sites to prevent air pollution.
