In order to review the progress on Rs 5 crore City Specific Action Plan undertaken for monitoring and implementation of National Clean Air programme (NCAP) to improve Air Quality Index in District Srinagar, 6th meeting of Monitoring Committee of NCAP was today held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad here in his office chamber.The Deputy Commissioner took a detailed review of the all works being implemented under NCAP for current fiscal including procurement of Dusting and Vacuum Cleaning Vehicles for regular cleaning of road dust, Jet Washer Water Spraying of roads, establishment of Water Fountains at major intersections/circles, installation of Clean Air Towers and installation of Air Quality Monitoring system in the City.On the occasion, the DC was informed that tendering process of all works have been almost completed and bids of various works have been received which are under technical evaluation phase.The DC asked the officers to finalize the presentation regarding the plan by or before 9th of this month for timely onward submission.
He also directed them to accelerate the process for early execution of the works taken up under the NCA program in the District.The Deputy Commissioner said the main objective of the National Clean Air programme is to adopt modern technology based mechanism for strengthening the air quality monitoring network, reducing vehicular and industrial emissions, identifying major causes of air pollution and increasing public awareness.He stressed the officers to put in extra efforts so that the Air Quality Index is brought down to below 50 against the present level.The DC said Central Government has launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as a long-term, time-bound, national level strategy to tackle the air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner with targets to achieve 20 percent to 30 percent reduction in particulate matter concentrations by 2024 keeping 2017 as the base year for the comparison of concentration.He said improving quality of air is a paramount for larger public benefit and all possible measures are being taken for the purpose.Among others, Chief Sanitation Officer, SMC, Nazir Ahmad Baba, Consultant under NCAP, Dr Shabir, Scientist-B, Pollution Control Committee, Mohammad Sultan were present in the meeting.