Govt to continue keeping tab on air quality

NEW DELHI: The Environment Department of Delhi government has asserted that thorough monitoring of air quality would be continued till it becomes standard.

According to sources, Delhi Environment minister Imran Hussain has directed officials and the Delhi Pollution Control Com (DPCC) to regularly monitor the air quality.

"As a government committed to act against pollution, the government of NCT of Delhi had taken steps to contain the air pollution levels in Delhi during the festival of Diwali through multi-pronged anti-firecrackers campaign with the support and assistance of various stakeholders," said an official of the Department.

After Diwali, the Department found that the pollution levels are 'severe', prompting Hussain to order regular monitoring.

Officials asserted that the assessment of ambient air quality, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) protocol, would be undertaken at 16 locations, namely. R K Puram, Mandir Marg, Punjabi Bagh, Civil Lines, Anand Vihar, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, PGDAV College (Sriniwaspuri), DITE Okhla, Mother Dairy (Patparganj), ITI Vivek Vihar, ITI Jahangirpuri, DITE Wazirpur, Satyawati College (Ashok Vihar) and Shaheed Sukhdev Business College (Rohini).

The minister also directed that noise level should also be regularly monitored. Despite the ban on sale of firecrackers, the air quality in Delhi was found to be 'severe' after Diwali. The Environment department will also meet CPCB officials next week. The Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) had earlier directed the Department to follow the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to control pollution levels in Delhi. GRAP will be continued, till the EPCA asks it to be withdrawn.

As part of GRAP, the Department will also monitor the ban on diesel generators in Delhi. Hussain has directed Power department officials to maintain proper power supply in the city, so that there is no need for diesel generators.