As the winter season draws near, concerns about air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region intensify. The Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr. P.K. Mishra, took charge of the situation by leading a meeting of the high-level task force on air pollution. The goal of this gathering was to assess the preparedness of various stakeholders in combatting the impending air quality crisis.
Focus on Tackling Stubble Burning:
During the meeting, Dr. P.K. Mishra directed the Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to be vigilant in monitoring incidents of paddy straw burning in their respective states. He underscored the importance of employing in-situ management techniques for paddy straw, including the use of Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines and bio-decomposers. These measures are expected to significantly curtail the harmful practice of stubble burning, a major contributor to the air pollution woes of the Delhi-NCR region.
Implementing the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP):
The Principal Secretary also delved into the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and ways to enhance its effectiveness at the grassroots level. GRAP is a comprehensive strategy designed to combat air pollution by tailoring specific actions based on the severity of pollution levels in the Delhi-NCR region. These actions include banning certain activities, boosting public transportation, and enforcing stricter emission standards for industries.
With the winter season fast approaching and air quality concerns on the rise, the high-level task force on air pollution is taking proactive measures. The directives issued during this meeting, such as tackling stubble burning and optimizing GRAP, demonstrate a commitment to addressing the air quality crisis in the Delhi-NCR region.
