Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath for action plan to check air pollution

LUCKNOW: Densely populated cities of the state can hope for cleaner air in the near future. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday gave instructions to prepare an effective action plan for control of air pollution and improvement of air quality.
While reviewing air quality of 17 non-attainment cities (NACs) of the state, the CM said, “All departments and institutions concerned should share the best practices while taking effective initiatives for control of air pollution. Officers from the municipal corporation, forest department and pollution control board should coordinate and take action appropriately.”
Emphasizing on identification of air pollutants, he said, “Pollution sources which are responsible for poor air quality in cities with population above 10 lakh such as Lucknow, Kanpur, Ghaziabad and Agra, should be removed. The strategy adopted for air pollution control and quality improvement in Gorakhpur, Rae Bareli and Khurja has yielded effective results. Similar strategy and model action plan should be implemented in other cities too.”
Yogi directed to take action by holding regular meetings of the district environment committees constituted under the chairmanship of the district magistrates.
Meanwhile, additional chief secretary environment, forests and climate change Manoj Singh informed the CM that road dust has been identified as a major cause of air pollution. For this, emphasis is being laid on mechanical cleaning, spraying and covering of construction material during transportation.
To improve air quality, infrastructure projects like highway construction, road widening, parking infrastructure and paving of roads have to be executed strategically in an efficient manner by the municipal corporation, forest department and pollution control board, he said.