In order to ensure strict enforcement of measures to control air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) especially during the current period of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in-force, the Sub-Committee on Safeguarding & Enforcement of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) held a meeting on 20^th November, 2024, to monitor and review status of sector specific enforcement actions taken by the concerned NCR State Governments/ GNCTD and Punjab to abate air pollution in the NCR.

After a detailed review of action taken by NCR State Governments/ GNCTD, following directions were given by the Commission:

1. Mismatch in number of cases where EC has imposed and the cases where FIR has been filed u/s 223 of BNS, 2023 needs to be sorted out. (Action: Punjab and Haryana)
2. Gap in cumulative amount of EC imposed and EC realised needs to analysed and redressed on an urgent basis. (Action: Punjab and Haryana)
3. Inspection protocol for verification of fire incidences be revised to within 24 hrs from 48 hours, specially by Punjab. (Action: Punjab and Haryana)
4. All actions prescribed under different stages of GRAP need to be enforced strictly in true letter and spirit. (Action: All Delhi NCR States)
5. Special attention must be given to all identified hotspots in Delhi. The same must be taken up on priority, except those actions which are prohibited under GRAP. (Action: GNCTD/ DPCC)
6. Special attention must be given for controlling the C&D dust and all C&D activities must stop keeping in provisions under GRAP Inspections must be intensified in entire Delhi NCR.  Stringent actions must be taken against the violators as per directions issued by the Commission. (Action: All Delhi NCR States)
7. Special drive must be launched for impounding of EoL vehicles. The data from Traffic Police, Transport agencies and municipal authorities must be compiled and submitted to the Commission through the nodal agency. (Action: All Delhi NCR States)
8. Efforts for challaning the non-possession of PUC must be enhanced. (Action: All Delhi NCR States)
1. The auditing of the PUC Centres needs to be carried out on priority. (Action: All Delhi NCR States)
10. The entry points of Delhi must be checked for the non-permitted vehicles and proper arrangements be made at the border. (Action: GNCTD, Delhi Traffic Police)
11. The congestion points and barricades on the road to be managed properly. Barricading to be done only during inspection and to be removed immediately thereafter. Patrolling vehicles to check for these points creating congestion and inform the Traffic Police to take immediate corrective action. (Action: GNCTD, Delhi Traffic Police)
50. It was directed to augment the MRSMs on priority to achieve the target. (Action: GNCTD, Haryana)
1000. Expedite the collection of pending Environmental Compensation (ECs) from violators. (Action: All Delhi NCR States)
14. Ensure compliance to the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court regarding brick kilns regulation. (Action: NCR districts of Haryana, UP and Rajasthan)
15. The biomass and MSW burning activities must be stopped in open areas through strict enforcement of regulations and improved waste management practices. (Action: All Delhi NCR States)
16. Pending complaints from citizens on different Apps and social media platforms till date must be resolved in a time-bound manner. CAQM must be tagged on social media page while forwarding and resolving the complaint so that they are properly tracked and monitored. (Action: All Delhi NCR States)
17. Nodal officers for all agencies to coordinate actions in their respective agencies and concerned DPCC to also monitor the actions by different agencies, besides action required to be taken by themselves. (Action: All Delhi NCR States)
18. Daily reporting of actions under GRAP must be provided to Commission on daily basis without fail. (Action: All Delhi NCR States)
19. Officials of concerned agencies shall be held accountable for any laxity in the enforcement of the directions of the Commission and the same may attract action under provisions of CAQM Act. (Action: All Delhi NCR States)

• Monitoring and implementation/ enforcement of actions in respect of stubble burning including penal actions initiated by the State Governments in Haryana and Punjab were reviewed

The authorities of Punjab and Haryana were asked to ensure implementation of in-situ and ex-situ measures for prevention of paddy stubble burning. Further, it was reiterated that considering the prevailing AQI levels in Delhi-NCR, there should not be any laxity in monitoring and taking enforcement actions after expeditious verification of fire incidences within 24 hrs.

It was committed at the meeting by all implementing agencies that they will regularly review air pollution control measures and take strict and effective action across various sectors as well as those listed under GRAP. 

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VM/GS

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