Dr. P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, chaired a high-level task force meeting today at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to review efforts to tackle the air pollution problem in Delhi-NCR, especially with winter approaching. The meeting focused on how different agencies are preparing to control pollution from various sources like stubble burning, vehicle emissions, road dust, and waste management.
Tackling Pollution Sources: A Major Concern
As winter draws near, the air quality in Delhi-NCR usually gets worse due to various pollution sources. Dr. Mishra emphasized the need for strict and timely action to enforce the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a strategy designed to deal with rising air pollution in stages. All the agencies involved must work together to stop the air quality from getting worse.
Stubble Burning in Punjab and Haryana
One of the major issues discussed was paddy stubble burning, which contributes to air pollution. The Chairman of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Shri Rajesh Verma, shared estimates that Punjab will produce 19.52 million tonnes of paddy straw this year, while Haryana will generate 8.10 million tonnes. Both states have pledged to reduce stubble burning significantly.
Punjab plans to manage 11.5 million tonnes of its straw using in-situ methods, where the straw is managed in the field, and the rest will be handled using ex-situ methods, which involves moving the straw elsewhere. Haryana has a similar plan for its straw. The states have also provided farmers with Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines to help deal with the straw. Punjab will have 1.50 lakh CRM machines and 24,736 Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs) to assist farmers, while Haryana will have 90,945 machines and 6,794 CHCs.
Co-Firing Paddy Straw in Power Plants
The meeting also discussed how thermal power plants in the NCR region will help by using 2 million tonnes of paddy straw as fuel, a process known as co-firing. It was stressed that power plants should be monitored to ensure they meet their co-firing targets, and penalties will be imposed for failing to comply.
Industrial and Construction Dust Control
Industrial pollution is another major contributor to Delhi’s air quality issues. CAQM shared that 220 of the 240 industrial areas in the NCR region now have access to gas infrastructure, and efforts are underway to connect the remaining areas. Dust from construction and demolition (C&D) activities is being monitored remotely via a web portal, and all projects over 500 square meters must register to ensure they comply with dust control measures.
State Action on Stubble Burning
Dr. Mishra instructed the Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to ensure strict implementation of their stubble burning action plans. This includes making full use of CRM machines, improving the supply chain for ex-situ management, and helping small industries turn paddy straw into useful products like briquettes and pellets. He also called for strict penalties for those who break the rules.
Expanding e-Bus Services
To further reduce vehicular pollution, Dr. Mishra urged the states in the NCR region to expand their e-Bus services under the PM eBus Sewa Scheme, which aims to add 10,000 electric buses across India. Increasing the number of e-buses can help reduce emissions in cities.
Importance of Tree Planting and Firecracker Bans
The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam tree-planting program was also highlighted, with Dr. Mishra stressing its emotional value and its role in greening cities. State governments were asked to enforce bans on firecrackers strictly, as they add to the pollution problem during the winter months. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas was also asked to speed up the collection of biomass and the construction of compressed biogas (CBG) plants to help manage waste.
Attendance and Action
The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Cabinet Secretary Dr. T.V. Somanathan, the Delhi Police Commissioner, and representatives from the Ministries of Environment, Agriculture, Power, and more. Officials from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), and representatives from the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi also participated.
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