Imran Hussain issues strict directives to curb air pollution

Amid the deteriorating air quality levels in the city, especially in Anand Vihar and Punjabi Bagh, two of the most polluted places in the Capital, the Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain has issued strict directives to deal with the deadly pollution levels. 

The Environment Minister, while convening a meeting on Monday, directed the environment department to ask the concerned authorities to intensify urgent air pollution controlling measures in Anand Vihar and Punjabi Bagh areas. Decision was taken after observing increased levels of PM2.5 and PM10 level in these areas.

Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain told the department to ask other agencies like DDA, NDMC, MCDs, PWD, Transport and Revenue Departments, Traffic Police and Cantonment Board to work on measures including sprinkling of water, mechanical sweeping of roads, strict vigil to check burning of leaves and others.

The minister stressed upon the need to enhance surveillance and vigil regarding anti-air pollution measures. The Minister further stressed that since night temperature is dipping, special emphasis needs to be given to control garbage and biomass burning. He also directed to take stringent action against plying of vehicles without valid PUC, visibly polluting vehicles, overloaded vehicles, non-destined vehicles etc.

Hussain was reviewing the current situation of ambient air quality in Delhi with the officers of the Environment Department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, wherein, he sought to know about the influence of various metrological parameters including wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity and solar index on air in Delhi specifically with respect to the past weekend air quality.

The environment department informed that analysis of the data of different pollutants shows that levels of PM10 and PM2.5 in Delhi showed an increasing trend on 23rd and 24th December, due to non--dispersal of pollutants with low temperature and low wind speed. However, 25th December onwards, ambient air quality has improved due to better wind speed.

Earlier, the department, in a statement had suggested that the city was not witnessing another episode of smog at the moment. “In winters, particularly when fog/mist develops in the city, a general perception prevails that the air quality worsens, whereas the fact is that fog and smog are two separate environmental phenomena.