CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Divisional Commissioner Sanjeev Singh, in a meeting held at the Commissioner’s Office conference room to improve the city’s air quality, instructed the district administration, municipal corporation, traffic police, RTO, and the Pollution Control Board to launch a comprehensive campaign to prevent air pollution in Bhopal.
Director Singh directed the RTO and traffic police to take appropriate action against unfit vehicles and to ensure continuous checks and certification by PUC units. He also instructed the Pollution Control Board officials to review the Air Quality Index (AQI) quarterly and to monitor hotspot areas during the first week of the third month. A detailed strategy should be prepared for monitoring moderate-level hotspots, along with a report on causes and solutions, and comparative calculations should be carried out quarterly.
During the review meeting, Director Singh directed the Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection Department officials to take action against unauthorized fuel use in commercial activities like restaurants, hotels, and tandoor stalls, and to raise awareness about using LPG.
The Commissioner also emphasized action against stubble burning after harvest, instructing agricultural extension officers to review past incidents and raise awareness among farmers about the harmful effects of burning stubble. Farmers should be provided with mechanized assistance like Super Seeder and Happy Seeder as needed.
Commissioner Singh instructed the Municipal Commissioner to ensure regular water sprinkling and cleaning at hotspots and areas prone to dust in the city. He also called for a ban on the practice of burning waste for warmth during nighttime and directed for awareness campaigns and inspections. He asked the RTO Bhopal to implement widespread online monitoring of PUC checks, and the Pollution Control Board was instructed to launch a campaign against industries causing air pollution in the city, classifying them based on their pollution levels.
A study conducted by ARI Pune highlighted the primary factors and their percentages affecting the air quality in Bhopal, with PM10 at 62.2% and PM2.5 at 38% from road dust, 13% (PM10) and 29% (PM2.5) from transportation, and 24.8% (PM10) and 33% (PM2.5) from other sources. He stressed the need for road maintenance, filling potholes, monthly PUC checks, removal of unfit vehicles, and ensuring fuel quality.
To improve the AQI in Bhopal, the municipal corporation has launched a special 100-day campaign, which includes various activities. Special measures like water sprinkling and the use of mechanical road sweeping and fogging machines will be employed, especially on Dhanteras, Chhoti Diwali, and Diwali. Additionally, 85 fountains will be started at various locations across Bhopal, and all waste collection vehicles will undergo PUC checks.
The meeting was attended by Municipal Commissioner Harendra Narayan, Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department Sanjay Maske, Regional Transport Officer Jitendra Sharma, District Food Supply Controller Meena Malakar, and other relevant officials.
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