Noida, 22 Aug (HS): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi

Adityanath has expressed concern over the increasing air pollution in the NCR

region and directed necessary steps to effectively prevent it. Recently, the

Chief Secretary held an important meeting with officials from relevant

departments to ensure effective stubble management. The meeting reviewed

measures being taken to improve air quality and directed officials to ensure

timely necessary action.

The meeting specifically reviewed the resources and

agricultural machinery available for stubble management. Officials were

instructed to ensure the availability of necessary balers and other

agricultural machinery so that farmers do not face any problems in stubble

management. To address the shortage of machinery, pending tender processes were

directed to be completed as soon as possible. Officials were told to increase

field-level monitoring to effectively control stubble burning and to make

farmers aware of not burning stubble. Additionally, ensure maximum utilization

of available resources for stubble management.

The meeting issued instructions to take strict action

against industries that cause air pollution. Officials were told to regularly

inspect industrial units violating pollution standards and ensure that

appropriate action is taken against industries that do not comply. The meeting

also emphasized improved coordination between various departments. Instructions

were given that each department should designate a nodal officer to ensure

effective monitoring and timely implementation of air pollution prevention

measures.

Chief Secretary SP Goyal, while laying special emphasis on

the management of paddy straw, said that necessary steps should be taken

immediately for its effective management. To overcome the shortage of resources

and machinery available for stubble management, the tender process for the

arrangement of balers and other necessary agricultural machines should be

completed on time, so that effective management of crop residue can be ensured.

While reviewing the road development and maintenance works, he directed that

necessary tenders related to road redevelopment and prevention of road dust

should be done on time and the works should be completed within the stipulated

time frame. He directed that the work of repairing potholes and restoration of

damaged footpaths should be done on priority basis.

In the meeting, instructions were also given to nominate a

nodal officer by each concerned department for better coordination between the

departments. The Chief Secretary said that correct, complete and updated data

must be entered by the concerned departments on the Pawan portal, so that the

actual progress of works related to air pollution control can be effectively

assessed. He directed to ensure progress in the end-to-end vehicle seizure

action. Show cause notices should be issued to the responsible officers of the

districts which do not make the expected progress and monthly targets should be

set for regular review of the works. Various types of activities should be

conducted for public awareness.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi