Delhi-NCR air pollution: Construction ban stays, green light for coal-based industries

NOIDA: As the air quality improved after the first spell of “severe plus” conditions for this season across Delhi-NCR, the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) task force recommending relaxing pollution-related restrictions and allowed coal-based industries to start functioning. The ban on construction, however, continues to stay in place.
After four days of “severe” conditions, the air quality improved to “very poor” around 6 am on Saturday.

On Saturday, Noida recorded and AQI of 338, in Greater Noida, it was 309 and Ghaziabad recorded an AQI of 347.
For the first time this year, PM 2.5 levels were more than 300, starting around 10 am on November 12 till 6 am on Saturday.
On Saturday, it dropped below 300. According to weather forecast, the levels will be lower than 300 till November 18 but the air quality might deteriorate marginally between November 19 and 21, before improving again next week.
The CPCB’s move to relax the restrictions has come as a relief in Ghaziabad that has the most number of coal-based industries in NCR.
“Ghaziabad has 141 coal-based industries that have been shut for over 15 days. Most if these are related to dyeing or are waste paper mills. While the restriction has been removed, we will continue to monitor the areas strictly,” said Utsav Sharma, the regional officer, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), Ghaziabad.
While Noida has two coal-based industries, there are 11 in Greater Noida.
In an attempt to bring down the pollution levels, the Noida district administration has launched a campaign and is set to offer Rs 1,000 for each pollution-related complaint made through WhatsApp or email. On Saturday, the administration introduced a WhatsApp number (9871428532) and an email address (dmgbnwarroom@gmail.com) where residents can submit complaints about pollution violations, like waste dumping, burning and bursting crackers. A complainant has to attach pictures and give exact location where such an incident has been seen within 12 hours of the occurrence. The complaint should also include the name, address and contact details of a perpetrator.
In case multiple violations are seen in a particular area, Rs 1,000 will be given to the first person who reports that incident. Officials said the name and contact information of the complainant would not be given out.
“The DM has a separate fund and we also are collecting money from penalties that are being imposed for pollution violations. We will be using the money to pay the reward,”said B N Singh, district magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar.
Till Saturday evening, three complaints have been received on WhatsApp number.
“Once we get a complaint, a team will check that site and an FIR would be registered against the perpetrators. After that, we would be rewarding the complainant. We hope all residents submit complaints with the relevant details,” Singh added.
Stubble burning complaints will not be included, as the administration already receives remote sensing data, along with locations, for such violations.
The Noida and Greater Noida, the authorities have penalised several individuals in the past few days for violating pollution norms. Noida Authority officials have raided several shops in sectors 26 and 37 and imposed penalties worth Rs 1.25 lakh against those found with single-use plastic.
While the authorities continued with the penalty drives, residents posted pictures of garbage burning and construction materials kept along roads across Noida and Greater Noida.