The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, who is also the Chairman of District Implementation Committee today reviewed the implementation and status of City Action Plan taken under National Clean Air Programme in a meeting held at Meeting Hall of the DC Office Complex, here.
At the outset, the DC took a detailed review of Rs 5 Crore Action Plan (Part Ist) being implemented under NCAP for execution of various interventions including procurement of 4 Road sweeping or Vacuum Cleaning machines for regular cleaning of City roads; Procurement of 3 Jetting Machines for water spraying of City roads; Installation of 9 Fountains at major intersections/ circles and Installation of Air Quality Monitoring System in the City to ensure strict implementation of mitigation measures for Prevention, Control and Abatement of Air Pollution and to improve the Air Quality in the non-attainment City of Srinagar District.
The DC was apprised that 3 water spraying Jetting Machines and 4 Road sweeping/ Vacuum Cleaning machines have been procured under NCAP. In addition, authorization for procuring additional 10 Road Sweeping machines and 10 water sprinkle machines from Solid Waste component under Swachh Bharat programme has also been granted.
Further, it was given out that tendering process has been completed for installation of the Air Quality Monitoring System in the City, while construction of fountains under NCAP at 9 important locations particularly at heavy traffic volume intersections is being carried out.
The DC emphasized on the need for proactive actions by concerned implementing agencies. He asked all the line Departments to submit detailed action taken reports regarding measures undertaken regarding Air Pollution Control were also discussed.
The DC also stressed on increasing green cover in the city through plantations at appropriate places and other locations to improve the air quality. With regard to carrying of construction material by uncovered trucks and dumping of the same on roadsides, the DC asked the concerned authorities to conduct specific drives to curb such practices in the city to improve the air quality index in the City.
The DC also stressed on participation of the local community in improving the Air Quality Index in the District through mass awareness campaigns. Earlier, in the meeting, the Nodal Officer Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for Performance Assessment of Srinagar City, Sahil Patel Scientist-C gave a detailed overview regarding the present quality and particulate matter present in air and impact of interventions on air quality through a PowerPoint presentation. He also stressed on need to develop a Micro Action Plan for maintaining air quality within acceptable limits
The meeting was among others attended by the Regional Director Pollution Control Board, SP Traffic, Chief Planning Officer, besides Officers of SMC, Urban Development Agency, Regional Transport Office, R&B, Urban Forestry, Pollution Control Board, Floriculture and Sericulture Departments.