New Delhi, Oct 11 (KNN) Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) informed Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav that the uninterrupted use of diesel generators (DG) shall be permitted only for emergency services during Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

The Union Minister had earlier met officials from DISCOM to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the region to discourage the usage of Diesel Gensets.

The Commission made a detailed presentation on different aspects and challenges with regard to controlling air pollution in the NCR region during the virtual meeting.

Environment Ministers of NCR States, GNCTD and Punjab were present at the meeting to review the activities being undertaken and planned by the States to manage the issue of air pollution in NCR.

The meeting was organized to ensure coordinated action and cooperation of all stakeholders to combat air pollution that affects Delhi NCR region in this season.

The meeting was attended by Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister of Haryana, Hemaram Choudhary, Rajasthan, Gopal Rai, Delhi, Dr. Arun Kumar, UP and Gurmeet Singh Meet, Punjab.

The major sectors discussed in the meeting included agricultural stubble burning, industrial pollution, pollution from gensets, vehicular pollution, electric mobility, dust from road & open areas and dust from construction and demolition activity.

CAQM reiterated the comprehensive policy formulated and directed for targeted short/ medium/ and long-term action in various sectors by different agencies concerned.

It further informed that several meetings have been undertaken with the agencies and State Governments to ensure awareness about management of air pollution, the GRAP and for monitoring and enforcement.

The magnitude of the problem was discussed in the meeting in the light of the estimated paddy straw generation figures as provided by the States.

The issue of stubble burning is a prime concern for all stakeholders. Action taken and planned on the incidents of paddy residue burning were also highlighted by the States in the meeting.

An update was provided regarding availability and allocation of CRM machinery by the State Governments.

The State Governments have informed that they have involved the local bodies and are innovatively providing the machinery to the farmers to promote in-situ methods of handling crop residue.

CAQM shared that the GRAP had been revised as per the AQI values in order to make it more understandable and actionable.

GRAP now works on forecasts that will help to plan and execute action better.

All the State Ministers appealed for proactive public participation in combating air pollution in the NCR region which was caused by the airshed conditions.  (KNN Bureau)