Gurgaon: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Saturday instructed its state counterpart, HSPCB, to form a vigilance committee comprising officials from police, traffic and MCG, to combat garbage and stubble burning in and around the city, after air pollution levels shot up yet again. The central body also asked the vigilance committee to submit an action taken report within 10 days, all under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
CPCB's letter to HSPCB, a copy of which is with TOI, states, "Set up vigilance mechanism to check open burning of any kind of waste, including at dumping sites, extinguish it and report progress on action taken through mail."
According to data provided by CPCB, the peak 24-hour average concentration of PM2.5 over the last week was 248.92 micrograms per cubic metre (g/m3) on November 24, compared to the previous week's peak, at 130.83 g/m3 on November 19. The average weekly concentration of PM2.5 from November 21 to November 27 was 140 g/m3, while the previous week's average was 89 g/m3 (between November 14 and November 20), an increase of 57%.
CPCB's directions include sprinkling of water to control dust emissions, prevention of traffic congestion and covering demolition and construction sites.
HSPCB officials said the vigilance committee will coordinate with agencies. "We've noticed that half the time, action against offenders or prevention measures are stuck due to lack of coordination among agencies. Bringing MCG, traffic police, cops and HSPCB on one platform that will be monitored by higher authorities, is a great step," said a HSPCB official, requesting anonymity.
