Pune: Restrictions on petrol-diesel vehicles and increased parking fees at commercial establishments are part of the PCMC’s draft proposal for Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) aimed at reducing air pollution in the twin cities.
“Unlike Delhi’s odd-even rule to reduce the number of vehicles on roads, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation [PCMC] is looking to allow only electric vehicles in the areas with severely poor air quality,” a senior official of the PCMC’s environment department, said.
In November last year, Pimpri Chinchwad had emerged as one of the most polluted cities in Maharashtra, prompting the civic authorities to halt construction activities in the twin cities.
The draft proposal for GRAP was made available on the civic body’s official website for people to give their suggestions and objections to the plan between December 5 and 19. “At present, we are studying the citizens’ feedback. A final proposal will be ready soon. It will be tables before the general body for final approval,” Sanjay Kulkarni, joint city engineer of PCMC, said.
PCMC’s GRAP has been divided into four different phases based on air quality (see box). Besides implementing the phase-wise measures, the civic body has also proposed a rise in penalties for violations of pollution norms by citizens. At present, PCMC fines Rs 1,000 for spitting in public places or open defecation, which will be increased to Rs 1,100 as per the plan. Similarly, the fine for violation of MPCB guidelines at construction sites will be increased to Rs 100/square metre of built-up area from Rs 10 per square meter.
The draft proposal also includes action against industries causing air pollution. “As of now, there is no provision for PCMC to impose fines on the industries causing pollution. Only MPCB can take action in such cases. Under the draft proposal, PCMC can impose a fine of Rs 10,000 against industrial units for non-compliance of air pollution norms. A fine of Rs 5,000 has been proposed for open transportation of construction and demolition waste too. A fine of Rs 10,000 has been proposed for releasing untreated waste into water bodies,” the joint city engineer of PCMC said.
We also published the following articles recently
“Unlike Delhi’s odd-even rule to reduce the number of vehicles on roads, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation [PCMC] is looking to allow only electric vehicles in the areas with severely poor air quality,” a senior official of the PCMC’s environment department, said.
In November last year, Pimpri Chinchwad had emerged as one of the most polluted cities in Maharashtra, prompting the civic authorities to halt construction activities in the twin cities.
The draft proposal for GRAP was made available on the civic body’s official website for people to give their suggestions and objections to the plan between December 5 and 19. “At present, we are studying the citizens’ feedback. A final proposal will be ready soon. It will be tables before the general body for final approval,” Sanjay Kulkarni, joint city engineer of PCMC, said.
PCMC’s GRAP has been divided into four different phases based on air quality (see box). Besides implementing the phase-wise measures, the civic body has also proposed a rise in penalties for violations of pollution norms by citizens. At present, PCMC fines Rs 1,000 for spitting in public places or open defecation, which will be increased to Rs 1,100 as per the plan. Similarly, the fine for violation of MPCB guidelines at construction sites will be increased to Rs 100/square metre of built-up area from Rs 10 per square meter.
The draft proposal also includes action against industries causing air pollution. “As of now, there is no provision for PCMC to impose fines on the industries causing pollution. Only MPCB can take action in such cases. Under the draft proposal, PCMC can impose a fine of Rs 10,000 against industrial units for non-compliance of air pollution norms. A fine of Rs 5,000 has been proposed for open transportation of construction and demolition waste too. A fine of Rs 10,000 has been proposed for releasing untreated waste into water bodies,” the joint city engineer of PCMC said.
We also published the following articles recently
Air in 6 Odisha cities among most polluted in country
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in multiple cities across Odisha in India has worsened, reaching very poor levels above 300. On Monday, six cities from Odisha recorded very poor AQI, with Angul surpassing Delhi’s AQI. Environmentalists emphasize the need for immediate measures to curb air pollution in the state. Slow wind speed, fog, and moisture from the coast contribute to deteriorating air quality, while vehicle exhaust, mining, and construction dust also play a role.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in multiple cities across Odisha in India has worsened, reaching very poor levels above 300. On Monday, six cities from Odisha recorded very poor AQI, with Angul surpassing Delhi’s AQI. Environmentalists emphasize the need for immediate measures to curb air pollution in the state. Slow wind speed, fog, and moisture from the coast contribute to deteriorating air quality, while vehicle exhaust, mining, and construction dust also play a role.
In report to NGT, air panel suggests steps for polluting sectors
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has submitted a report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) identifying major polluting sectors and proposed corrective steps. The report includes plans for updating the emission inventory, conducting source apportionment studies, phasing out diesel autorickshaws, formulating a plan for common boilers, setting up infrastructure for material recovery and disposal of end-of-life vehicles, installing low-cost sensors, augmenting the fleet with CNG or e-buses, and controlling dust pollution with the use of suppressants.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has submitted a report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) identifying major polluting sectors and proposed corrective steps. The report includes plans for updating the emission inventory, conducting source apportionment studies, phasing out diesel autorickshaws, formulating a plan for common boilers, setting up infrastructure for material recovery and disposal of end-of-life vehicles, installing low-cost sensors, augmenting the fleet with CNG or e-buses, and controlling dust pollution with the use of suppressants.