NEW DELHI: The much awaited 'Agenda for Air Pollution Control', which seeks to meet the ambient air quality standards in Delhi by 2017, came up before the cabinet chaired by chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday but was sent back to the drawing board.
While Dikshit has allegedly asked for a sharper plan with a clear roadmap to ensure implementation, it is also evident that the government wants to tread carefully and not stir up controversies on parking, urban transport and traffic just months before the elections.
While environment department officials prepare to sharpen the plan, chances of the agenda making it back to the cabinet for a final decision before the code of conduct for the assembly polls comes into effect seem low. Sources in the department said they did not have the mandate to issue directions to other departments and, hence, the proposal was generic or "open ended".
"The cabinet needs to clear it first before specific directions to other stakeholder departments can be issued. However, we will now work towards making the agenda sharper, more focused and look at specific actions that can be taken under each of the 10 action points," said a senior official.
With over 74 lakh vehicles in the city, transport is a major issue under consideration in the agenda. More than 55% of Delhi's population is living within the influence zone of roads and is highly vulnerable to toxic vehicular fumes. To reduce vehicular emissions, it has been proposed that Euro V and VI fuel emission standards should be introduced for new vehicles.
For on-road vehicles, stricter pollution control norms and establishment of centralized emission testing centres has been proposed. Border checks on overloading vehicles, diversion of non-destined trucks, fast-tracking of expressway construction and chalking out an inter-state public transport plan are also on the cards.
A public transport plan to reduce number of vehicles in the city has also been proposed and is to be framed by officials of DTC, transport department, DDA, DMRC, UTTIPEC, environment department, DPCC and EPCA. This committee will also conduct traffic impact assessment for projects requiring an environmental clearance. The agenda has also focused on an effective parking policy.
Besides spreading awareness, the agenda has also proposed transit-oriented zones and pro-poor mobility systems through zonal plans for implementation of a non-motorized transport network.
The agenda has also proposed the adoption of dust control regulations for the construction industry and vehicular traffic.
