The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has asked the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to take some specific steps to control pollution and asked it to start working on some of the measures immediately.

Some of the steps that require immediate attention include launching an extensive awareness drive against polluting vehicles, strict action against visibly polluting vehicles, installing weigh-in motion bridges at Delhi’s borders to prevent overloading, steps to prevent parking in non-designated areas, early alarm system for commuters on traffic congestion or major route diversions, staggered timings to minimise peak movement of vehicles, retrofitting of diesel vehicles with particulate filters and decongesting pathways.

In a communication sent to the DPCC, the CPCB said, “Under Section 17 (1) (a) of the air (prevention and control of pollution) act, 1981, one of the functions of the state pollution control board and pollution control committees is to plan comprehensive programmes for prevention, control… of air pollution and to secure their execution”.

The board observed that the levels of particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5) in the National Capital Region (NCR) exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

“The primary source of air pollution in NCR states are vehicular emissions, burning of biomass, crop residue, municipal solid waste and garbage, road dust, construction and demolitions and industrial emissions… There have been regular meetings between the Union ministry of environment with the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to evolve and implement short and long-term action plans. State governments have agreed to implement the plans. Clean air is a matter of right,” stated the communication. To implement some of the other measures, the Board has also given the pollution control committee between 30 and 90 days.