New Delhi: Expressing dissatisfaction with the action taken by authorities to control air pollution, the National Green Tribunal had directed them to “take all possible measures to ensure that the quality of air improves in Delhi”. The tribunal, while taking suo motu (on its own) cognisance about a media report regarding the worsening air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), directed the filing of further action taken report within a week. On Monday (November 20), it said,
It is difficult to accept the stand of different authorities that they taking all possible measures to control air pollution and improve the quality of air because the air quality index of Delhi does not indicate any significant improvement.
The NGT observed that considering the health of the citizens of the national capital, the authorities concerned are expected to take the best possible measures to improve the air quality.
In the last hearing on November 9, it had sought a fresh action taken report from the authorities, including the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Commission for Air Quality Management for NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM).
On Monday (November 20), a bench of National Green Tribunal Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noting the Air Quality Index (AQI) from November 9-19 said,
In a block of past 11 days the air quality was severe for three days, very poor for five days and poor for three days. Thus we do not notice any significant improvement in the air quality.
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The bench, also comprising Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Expert Member A Senthil Vel, said the Delhi government had filed an additional action taken report to show that action has been taken to reduce air pollution.
Noting the report filed by the CPCB, it said,
It has been pointed out that only the measure relating to control of dust emission using dust suppressant have been found to be effective.
The pilot study for assessment of reducing air pollution in urban areas by using outdoor cleaning systems (also called Smog Tower) is under evaluation and the draft report in this regard has been received from IIT Bombay and same is under review.
The bench said that MCD had filed a report stating the various measures taken to reduce air pollution, such as mechanical road sweepers, sprinkling of water on roads and prohibiting open burning.
Noting a newspaper report, the tribunal said serious health hazards were being faced by the residents of the different age groups and categories because of the poor air quality. The tribunal said,
As per the said report, especially asthmatic patients, elderly persons, and pregnant women are facing complications and health risks. Considering this human health aspect the authorities are expected to take the best possible measure so that air quality in the city improves. Let the further action taken report be filed within one week.
The matter has been listed on November 29 for further proceedings.
Also Read: Impact Of Worsening Air Pollution And How To Protect Yourself From It
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which in its Season 10 is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In a world post COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental well-being, self-care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
