Coming down heavily on authorities over continuing garbage burning and traffic congestion leading to the deteriorating air quality in the Capital, the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) on Friday asked various agencies, including the Delhi Police and civic bodies to take steps.
Illegal encroachment
In a meeting chaired by EPCA chairperson Bhure Lal, representatives of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, civic bodies and the city police have been asked to strictly regulate traffic and ensure smooth passage.
“Illegal encroachment further adds to traffic woes in the Capital. Guards need to be posted to ensure smooth passage of traffic,” he said.
Mr. Lal. also pulled up the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation for not monitoring the daily status of garbage accumulation. The civic bodies were rapped for failing to regularly collect garbage from areas, including Nangloi.
On truck ban
On Thursday, the Supreme Court-appointed EPCA had imposed a 24-hour ban on the entry of trucks, in light of the worsening air quality and a letter to the Chief Secretaries of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh was sent, pertaining to the same.
“The enforcement of this direction requires coordination of all NCR States and you are, therefore, requested to take steps to ensure that this happens. Also, the opening of the Eastern and Western Expressway will make it easier to implement as the trucks that are not destined for Delhi now have convenient alternative to take,” said Mr. Lal.
The EPCA chairperson also urged the reduction in use of personal vehicles.
While Delhi’s air quality on Friday showed slight improvement with increased wind speed, it continued to remain in the “very poor” category, authorities also said.