Delhi: On a wind and a prayer in war on pollution

NEW DELHI: Environment minister Gopal Rai on Sunday said he has constituted 586 teams to inspect violations related to construction-and-demolition (C&D) activities across the city and ensure that the ban is implemented properly. Rai reiterated that C&D activities have been banned in the city as part of the pollution-control measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Rai cited the Regional Rapid Transit System project and diesel buses plying from other states as the reasons for “severe” AQI in east Delhi’s Anand Vihar and Vivek Vihar.
Urging the Uttar Pradesh government to use CNG buses in the National Capital Region, Rai said that diesel-run buses have a big role to play in the high levels of pollution at the Delhi-UP border.
He pointed towards the forecast that wind speed and direction will become unfavourable from November 1, which may push AQI into the “severe” category, due to which the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed enforcement of GRAP Stage-III measures. GRAP Stage-III calls for a strict ban on C&D activities in NCR, except for essential projects and non-polluting activities, such as plumbing, carpentry, interior decoration and electrical works.
“We held a meeting with all construction agencies in the capital and government departments concerned, including PWD, MCD, railways, DDA and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee. We have decided to implement the ban on C&D activities in the city. The government has prepared a strong monitoring system to ensure compliance with the directions. It has set up 586 teams comprising officials of different departments," Rai said.