Principal secy to PM chairs meeting on readiness to tackle air pollution in Delhi-NCR

During the meeting, Rajesh Verma, Chairman, Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), presented details on the estimated paddy straw stubble generation in Punjab and Haryana

air pollution, delhi ncr pollution, delhi pollution, stubble burning, vehicular emissions, e-bus services, paddy straw, crop residue management, how to tackle delhi air pollution, Indian express news

A view of Stubble burning field at a village near Patiala on Thursday. (Express photo by Harmeet Sodhi)

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, P K Mishra, Monday chaired a high-level task force meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office to assess readiness to tackle air pollution in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) ahead of the winter season. A review and evaluation of efforts to tackle pollution from paddy stubble burning, vehicular emissions, construction and road dust, solid waste and diesel generators were taken up, according to a government statement.

“Dr Mishra instructed Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to rigorously monitor and implement action plans aimed at eliminating stubble burning as committed in their action plans. He stressed the need for full utilisation of CRM (crop residue management) machines, strengthening the supply chain for ex-situ management, and supporting small industries in briquetting and pelletising operations to enhance the economic use of paddy straw,” said a statement issued by the Union Environment Ministry.

During the meeting, Rajesh Verma, Chairman, Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), presented details on the estimated paddy straw stubble generation in Punjab and Haryana. While an estimated 19.52 million tonnes of paddy straw will be generated in Punjab, in Haryana, it is estimated to be 8.10 million tonnes.

“Punjab plans to manage 11.5 million tonnes of its paddy straw through in-situ crop residue management and the rest via ex-situ methods. Haryana will similarly manage 3.3 million tonnes in-situ and use ex-situ methods for the remainder. Over 1.50 lakh CRM machines will be available in Punjab, supported by 24,736 Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs). Haryana has 90,945 CRM machines supported by 6,794 CHCs,” said the environment ministry’s statement.

In addition, 2 million tonnes of paddy straw will be co-fired in 11 thermal power plants across the NCR. Principal Secretary Mishra also requested chief secretaries of NCR states to augment their e-Bus services in the region. The PM eBus Sewa Scheme aims to increase e-Buses in the country by 10,000.

The meeting was attended by Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan, Delhi Police Commissioner and key officials from the Ministries of Environment, Agriculture, Power, Petroleum, Road Transport, Housing and Urban Affairs, and Animal Husbandry, along with representatives from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs). Also in attendance were chief secretaries and their representatives from the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and union territory of Delhi.

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