In a review meeting held with representatives of the implementing agencies — three municipal corporations, Transport Department, PWD, NDMC, DPCC, and DDA — on Tuesday, Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain issued specific directions regarding air pollution control measures, such as prohibition on burning any kind of garbage, leaves, waste, plastic, rubber etc, and dust control at construction sites.

"The Minister directed these bodies, along with other agencies, to increase the vigil in their respective areas, in order to have effective control over air pollution," a senior Delhi government official said.

The East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) was directed to ensure that punitive action was taken against violators, in particular against those at landfill sites. The Minister further told the DDA to carry out effective inspection drives, as cases of waste burning in the O zone along the Yamuna riverbed are being reported frequently.

Hussain also directed the Traffic Police to take action against building material suppliers for stocking material on the roadsides, in violation of the dust control norms.

Citing a specific case, the Minister pulled up PWD officials for not taking action against contractors building a central verge at the Madhuban Mother Diary Road, where dust control measures were reportedly not being taken.

"The departments have been asked to send a compliance report on complaints being posted by people on the recently launched app. Also, the Minister told the officials to come prepared with a better monitoring report in the next meeting," an official said.

In addition, the DPCC has been told to carry out random counterchecking of inspection reports submitted by the nodal officers.