City specific action plan to be prepared to improve Air quality
SRINAGAR, JUNE 14: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad today held a meeting to review the implementation and monitoring of the National Clean Air progrmme (NCAP) for improving air quality in Srinagar district.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Khurshid Ahmad and officers from Pollution Control Board, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, FCS&CA, Regional Transport Office and Police besides Environmental Experts.
On the occasion, the DC directed the officers of all line departments to prepare City Specific Action Plan (CSAP) measures for strengthening the monitoring network, reducing vehicular/ industrial emissions, identifying major causes of air pollution and increasing public awareness.
The DC said to improve quality of air is paramount for larger public benefit and all possible measures will be taken for the purpose. He called for collective effort to monitor quality of air to ensure desired air quality in Srinagar.
The DC said Central Government has launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as a long-term, time-bound, national level strategy to tackle the air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner with targets to achieve 20 percent to 30 percent reduction in particulate matter concentrations by 2024 keeping 2017 as the base year for the comparison of concentration.
He directed the SMC authorities to remove all construction material along roadsides which is one of the reason for air pollution. He further directed for sprinkling water on roads before conducting cleanliness.
With regard to curbing adulteration in fuel, the DC asked the Legal Metrology department to submit a proposal for setting an independent testing laboratory in the district so that accountability and transparency in tests is maintained.
The ARTO was directed to submit a list of all 25 years old vehicles within weeks time.
The DC directed the officers to submit an action taken report regarding measures to be taken for early implementation of NCAP within one week.
Earlier, the Environment experts put forth various suggestions and measures need to be taken for improving the quality of air in Srinagar before the meeting.