Government Chief advisor and chairman of State Pollution Control Board Dr Rajiv Sharma held a meeting with the senior officials of Transport, Civil Supplies, Police, Municipal Administration and reviewed the steps taken by various departments regarding prevention and control of air pollution in Hyderabad and other towns in the State.
Addressing the meeting Dr Rajiv Sharma said air pollution has been viewed seriously by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal, which have issued specific directions from time to time for improving the air quality. He said steps are urgently required to improve air quality, particularly in the areas where the levels exceed the stipulated standards. He advised the officials to launch public awareness campaign for air pollution control, vehicle maintenance and minimizing use of personal vehicles. He also observed that a multi-pronged, sustained and integrated approach, including close monitoring of implementation of the Supreme Court order was paramount.
Multilevel parking places suggested
The functioning of Hyderabad Traffic Integrated Management System was reviewed in the meeting. He suggested that multilevel parking places should be developed and parking places should be identified at commercial establishments and schools in the city. He emphasized the need to promote alternate fuels like LPG and CNG and restrict the overloading of vehicles. He also directed the Municipal Administration Department to formulate a time-frame for implementation of green buffers, pothole-free roads, greening of the city, water foundations, black tapping of roads and widening of roads.
Dr Rajiv Sharma stated that extensive drive should be launched against burning of bio-mass, crop residue, garbage and ensure regular check and control of burning of municipal solid waste and also to control industrial emissions. He directed the Civil Supplies Department to check fuel adulteration and random monitoring of fuel quality data.
B R Meena, Principal Secretary, Environment & Forests, Sunil Sharma, Principal Secretary, R&B, CV Anand, Commissioner, Civil Supplies, Navin Mittal, Secretary, MA&UD, NVS Reddy, MD HMR and other officials were present. (NSS)