Autobayng News Team
Calling for a “collective effort” to curb air pollution, MoS for environment, forest and climate change Arun Kumar Saxena said on Friday healthy air can add three to five years to one’s life.
“People in Japan live up to 95 years because they enjoy cleaner air. We must take strict measures to control pollution, including phasing out old and outdated vehicles, preventing waste burning and ensuring compliance by industries. The air quality usually deteriorates after Diwali due to a dip in temperature. PM2.5 pollutants settle near the surface and pose a serious health risk. It is our collective responsibility to bring down pollution levels,” Saxena said.
Chairing a meeting to assess the implementation of anti-pollution measures in NCR cities, Saxena directed officials to enforce dust control measures at construction sites, carry out regular water sprinkling and mechanised cleaning of roads, prevent stubble burning and check vehicular emissions.
Saxena reviewed the progress made by various departments across four districts — Noida, Ghaziabad, Hapur and Bulandshahr — and sought compliance reports on Commission for Air Quality Management’s (CAQM) different directives.
Principal secretary Anil Kumar specifically asked the officials to explain measures taken under CAQM’s direction no 93, which says only EVs/CNGs/BS-VI diesel buses shall be permitted in Delhi from Oct 31, 2026; direction 89 on liquidation of old vehicles; direction 84 on prevention and control of paddy burning; direction 64 for permissible fuel for industries, etc. Some of the officials’ answers were not satisfactory and they were directed to work out the issue.Officials were from Pollution Control Board, Noida and Greater Noida Authorities, PWD and traffic police. UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) chairman RP Singh was also present.
GB Nagar’s district magistrate Medha Rupam, Bulandshahr’s DM Shruti, Hapur DM Abhishek Pandey, Ghaziabad’s chief development officer Abhinav Gopal, Greater Noida Authority’s additional CEO Shrilaxmi VS, Noida Authority’s additional CEO Krishna Karunesh and other officials from pollution department also attended the programme.
The meeting also discussed the effective management of open burning of municipal solid waste, traffic management and measures for air pollution control in industrial units.The minister instructed officials to organise public awareness campaigns to sensitise citizens about pollution control and environmental protection. He also appealed to the public to cooperate with the administration in controlling pollution and to make environmental protection a part of their daily lives.UPPCB officials presented data showing that Noida’s average PM2.5 level this year stood at 71.34, down from 84.54 last year — a 13 per cent decrease — while Greater Noida recorded 69.79, down from 91.34 — a 31 per cent drop.
Ghaziabad saw a marginal rise, from 77.47 to 80.40, reflecting a 4 per cent increase.
UPPCB’s regional officer for Ghaziabad Ankit Singh informed the minister that the department had conducted coordination meetings with stakeholders and was ensuring GRAP compliance.
“Several illegal industries in Loni are contributing to pollution. Over the past month, we have shut down 52 such units,” he said.
Noida Authority general manager (health) SP Singh said the Authority has deployed 14 mechanical sweeping machines covering 340 km of roads and 60 sprinklers for another 400 km.
“In the past month, we have conducted 559 inspections and penalised 13 violators with fines amounting to Rs 2.8 lakh,” he said, adding that construction-related pollution in the 7x sectors was being strictly monitored under GRAP norms.
The secretary directed the pollution department to inspect Noida’s dumpsite in Sector 145 and ensure that the collected waste is processed scientifically.
Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh questioned the process of identifying pollution hotspots in Noida and Greater Noida.
“All listed hotspots fall within urban areas. Why was Jewar excluded despite rapid industrialisation in recent years,” he asked. Senior officials agreed to revisit the list and include rural areas as well.
A UPPCB official from Bulandshahr said a road in the district remained unpaved due to a dispute between the forest department and PWD.
The minister and principal secretary reprimanded the concerned officials and instructed them to resolve the issue at the earliest.
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