The EPCA is chaired by Bhure Lal who was the head of a committee set up by the Supreme Court in 2002 to oversee compliance of environment protection norms in the country.

In January, the EPCA had asked all NCR cities to take action after it was reported that air quality in Delhi-NCR had become very poor in the winter months.

In listing the measures it had taken to curb air pollution in Gurgaon, the HSPCB told the committee that it has monitored construction sites in the city and also sprinkled water on Golf Course Road and in areas close to construction sites, to curb dust pollution.

It said efforts were also taken to identify the reasons for high pollution level and all civic authorities were asked to take necessary steps to address them this month.

However, EPCA members pointed out that the plan is not enough to curb air pollution as nothing has been done to stop the plying of thousands of diesel-run three-wheelers that they said are one of the main reasons for the increase in pollutants in the atmosphere.

The members added that the city also still does not have a dedicated spot to dump construction and demolition waste generated by Gurgaon. Incidents of burning of household waste were also reported in the last three months when air pollution level was poor.

According to HSPCB data, burning of solid waste emits pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide.

“We have taken steps to curb air pollution, but wind and temperatures play a very vital role. We have been asked to plan for the future as it is expected that the level of pollutants might increase next time as well,” said Bhupender Singh, regional officer, HSPCB.