Municipal Corporations and the government agencies responsible for sanitation informed Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal on Tuesday that they would soon deploy more mechanical sweeping equipment in order to control dust pollution.
At a review meeting chaired by Mr. Baijal, the New Delhi Municipal Council and the three civic bodies as well as the Public Works Department said they would put more mechanical sweepers on the roads by April and July respectively.
Another measures
With dust being the biggest contributor to Delhi’s particulate matter pollution, the authorities decided that loose soil by roadsides and on the central verges would be controlled by increasing greenery.
In addition, the construction industry would be told to use fly-ash and fly-ash bricks as per a notification of the Centre. The authorities will also closely monitor the implementation of 42 directions given by the Central Pollution Control Board. Among the directions are stringent action against visibly polluting vehicles, stopping illegal parking and preventing burning of waste.
As per a statement from his office, Mr. Baijal asked the departments concerned to prepare a long-term solution to Delhi’s air pollution problem.
At the meeting, it was decided that the Central Motor Vehicle rules would be amended to make way for a policy for the scrapping of vehicles over 15 years old. Chief Secretary M. M. Kutty was also asked to look into the possibility of rationalising the locations of inter-State bus depots.
