Haryana to increase air quality monitoring station in NCR to 45

Chandigarh, June 26 (IANS) Haryana has accelerated its clean air campaign across the National Capital Region (NCR), unveiling a roadmap that includes induction of new electric buses, expansion of the air quality monitoring network from 22 to 45 stations, implementation of the ‘No Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC), No Fuel’ policy, besides redevelopment of nearly 1,000 km of urban roads, officials said on Friday.

The multi-sector action plan was reviewed by State Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi at a high-level meeting under the framework of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

The Chief Secretary directed all departments concerned to ensure time-bound execution of the initiatives so that pollution-control measures are fully in place before the onset of the winter.

State Additional Chief Secretary (Transport), Raja Sekhar Vundru, told that Haryana has planned the induction of 925 electric buses across Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Panipat, Karnal and Rohtak this year.

At present, 70 electric buses are already operational, while purchase orders have been placed for 385 additional buses.

Procurement of the remaining buses will be completed in phases after approval by the High Powered Purchase Committee.

The initiative is expected to significantly reduce vehicular emissions while promoting clean and sustainable public transport.

To strengthen monitoring of air pollution, Haryana is also expanding its Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) network.

The NCR currently has 22 operational monitoring stations, while 23 additional stations are being established, taking the total to 45, an official statement said.

Work orders for two stations are expected by mid-July, while tenders for the remaining stations will be floated shortly.

The expanded monitoring network is targeted to become fully operational before September 30, enabling comprehensive real-time monitoring during the winter pollution season.

Reviewing vehicular emission control, State Chief Secretary Rastogi assessed preparations for implementing the ‘No PUCC, No Fuel’ initiative from October 1.

Officials told that Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems are being installed at all 2,780 fuel stations in NCR districts.

The first phase will cover 775 fuel stations in Gurugram, Faridabad, Jhajjar and Sonipat, while the remaining 2,005 stations will be covered before the deadline.

Once operational, the system will electronically verify pollution under control certificates before fuel is dispensed.

The meeting also reviewed enforcement against end-of-life vehicles.

The enforcement has been substantially intensified this year with 2,883 old vehicles impounded, 2,010 scrapped and 6,054 no objection certificates issued for voluntary removal.

The State Chief Secretary also reviewed progress under the Naya Safar Yojana, under which Haryana has already notified 100 per cent motor vehicle tax concession for eligible vehicles.

The scheme envisages large-scale replacement of older commercial vehicles with cleaner alternatives through incentives, awareness camps and activation of fuel outlets for voucher redemption.

On industrial pollution control, the meeting was told that 1,329 of the 1,340 industries required to install online continuous emission monitoring systems are already connected to the Central Pollution Control Board server.

Installation of air pollution control devices is also being accelerated in industries requiring upgraded emission-control infrastructure.

–IANS

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