Pollution Crackdown: Minister Orders Action on Peri-Urban Industries

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav issued directives to state and central pollution control boards to inspect industries located in peri-urban areas and implement measures to control emissions. These instructions came during a review meeting focused on air pollution action plans for Ghaziabad and Noida. The minister emphasized the need for stringent actions against non-compliant industrial units.

Further, Yadav advocated for enhancing the National Clean Air Programme's parameters to facilitate a more rational distribution of funds to cities demonstrating better air quality performance. He also highlighted the importance of citizen participation and public representatives in the ground-level execution of action plans and greening initiatives, aiming to transform pollution control into a widespread public movement.

Additionally, the minister advised municipal authorities to collaborate with forest departments for planting hardy, low-water indigenous plant species. The formulation of integrated waste management plans through coordinated governmental efforts was also called for. Recommendations included smart traffic management, compliance with pollution norms, strengthening public transport, and improving construction and demolition waste management.