After a long haul, denizens in Gurugram got the much needed respite from the hazy atmosphere replete with pollution. But the air quality in the city is still deemed to be under ‘severe’ category with the persistent high pollution level.
The concern is reflected from the urgent measures the Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) initiated on Monday to combat the health emergency arising from the atmospheric pollution.
EPCA chairman wrote to Haryana chief secretary Keshni Anand with instructions to deal with the air pollution. As per EPCA’s new directions, all coal and fuel based industries, which have not switched to natural gas or agro residue, should remain closed in Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonepat, Panipat, Bahadurgarh and Bhiwadi till November 8.
The EPCA also called for closure of hot mix plants, stone crusher in all the district of Delhi-NCR till November 8.
The latest instructions came after the EPCA and CPCB led task force reviewed the measure taken in the light of prevailing weather conditions and air quality.
Notably, while hearing a plea on Monday, the Supreme Court banned all the construction activities in Delhi-NCR till further orders. The EPCA also stressed the urgency to take steps to stop local sources of pollution including garbage burning, construction dust, dumping of waste and road dust.
Meanwhile, Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has taken a series of steps to ensure compliance of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
So far, the civic agency has fined 19 violators of Rs 89,500 for non-compliance of GRAP. Also, it is keeping a check on pollution level through various measures including mechanised road sweeping, spraying of water on roads and trees etc.
-(1)-1641812982.webp "'The Power of the Dog' and 'West Side Story' among")
