Delhi pollution crackdown: Hotspots to be mapped, road works get Oct 31 deadline

A thick layer of smog engulfs the India Gate and Kartavya Path as pollution level deteriorates, in New Delhi.NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has stepped up its crackdown on air pollution, directing district administrations to map pollution hotspots, identify sources within a three-kilometre radius and assign agencies specific corrective measures and deadlines. The government has also set October 31 as the target for completing pending road and civil works, wherever feasible. It ordered tighter action against road dust, construction pollution, waste burning, illegal parking and traffic congestion.The directions were issued during district-level review meetings chaired by Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa for East, North-East, South-East and South Delhi. Officials were told to use AQI monitoring data to identify problem areas, assess the sources driving pollution and take immediate action at the ground level.Hotspots to get source-specific action plansDistrict administrations will map pollution hotspots based on data from AQI monitoring stations. Each hotspot will then be assessed for sources such as road dust, traffic congestion, vehicular emissions, construction and demolition activity, unauthorised parking, open or uncovered areas and biomass or waste burning.Where applicable, pollution-generating activities within a three-kilometre radius of each hotspot will also be examined.Authorities will prepare source-wise action plans setting out the remedial measure, the agency responsible and the timeline for implementation.Locations recording high levels of PM10 and PM2.5 will receive focused attention, particularly areas with heavy traffic, heavy-vehicle parking, significant road dust and congestion. Such locations will be inspected for their pollution sources and immediate remedial action will be taken.October 31 target for pending road worksThe government has directed agencies to complete pending civil works on priority and by October 31, wherever feasible.These include pothole repairs, treatment and development of brown areas and other road and roadside works. Officials have also been told to maintain completed works properly to reduce road-dust generation.Where essential works cannot be completed because other projects are still underway, agencies will have to continue water sprinkling and other dust-suppression measures until the road surface is restored.Construction, waste burning face tighter actionThe government has directed agencies to strictly enforce dust-control norms at construction and demolition sites. Violations will attract stringent action under applicable rules.The ban on biomass burning will also be enforced without exception. Preventive measures will be strengthened against the open burning of garbage, plastic and rubber waste, textile and fibre waste, industrial and organic residues, scrap and other combustible material.Illegal parking and encroachments targetedOfficials were also directed to remove illegal encroachments from roads and public spaces where they contribute to congestion and obstruct traffic movement.The move is aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing pollution caused by idling vehicles and prolonged traffic movement.At Anand Vihar Bus Terminal, agencies have been directed to step up enforcement against unauthorised parking of buses and heavy vehicles. Cranes will be deployed wherever required to remove or tow such vehicles.Patparganj gets special focusPatparganj Industrial Area was identified for area-specific measures targeting road dust, traffic congestion and vehicular emissions.Agencies have been directed to maintain continuous water sprinkling and dust-control measures at vulnerable locations, particularly where road or allied works are underway.Future roads to minimise exposed soilFor future applicable works, departments have been directed to incorporate end-to-end carpeting or paving of roads and relevant roadside areas wherever technically feasible and in accordance with applicable specifications.The aim is to reduce exposed soil and unpaved surfaces that can contribute to road dust.The government has stressed closer coordination between departments and agencies, with responsibility for individual pollution-control measures clearly assigned.The meetings involved area MLAs, district magistrates, deputy commissioners of police, MCD deputy commissioners and senior officials from various departments.Officials from the Revenue Department, DPCC, PWD, MCD, Traffic Police, DSIIDC, I&FC, DJB, DMRC, NHAI and other agencies were involved in the coordinated effort.The minister also directed ground teams to maintain regular vigilance at vulnerable locations and take immediate action against violations. DPCC and enforcement agencies were asked to impose stringent penalties, including heavy challans wherever applicable.Officials were further told to ensure prompt resolution of citizen complaints, particularly those received through Helpline 311.