Punjab Post Daily Online Newspaper & Print Media
Amritsar, June 27 (Punjab Post Bureau) – The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC) is working with United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for the implementation of National Clean Air Program (NCAP). In this regard, UNDP has started organizing a scoping Mission on Air Pollution in three cities- Amritsar (Punjab), Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Gurugram (National Capital Region). The aim of this scoping mission is to develop a strategy paper on combating Air Pollution in India with substantive inputs for implementation of the NCAP at the national and sub-national level to present a roadmap for United Nation’s Engagement in the State / City and at the National Level in India.
Today, the UN Air pollution Mission Team headed by Ms. Xiaofang Zhou, (Mission Leader)- Director, Montreal Protocol and Chemicals Unit, New York (UNDP) along with his 14 members team held a meeting with stakeholders such as Distt. Administration Amritsar and Pollution Control Board, Academic & Civil Society Institutions, Public Sector. The focus of the team was on the capacity building, developing city plans addressing air pollution and establishing synergies at the State and National Level.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister Punjab is focused on Cleaner, Greener and Healthier Punjab and has already started Mission Tandrust Punjab 2.0 which is a part of his vision to restore the pristine glory of Punjab.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board and Deptt. of Science, Technology and Environment, Govt. of Punjab under the dynamic leadership of Professor S.S Marwaha, Chairman of the Board and Rakesh Verma IAS, Principal Secretary has finalized the Clean Air Action Plan for Nine Non-Attainment Cities which has been accepted by MoEF & CC New Delhi under which Amritsar is also one of the cities. Krunesh Garg Member Secretary of the Board made a Power Point Presentation and presented the salient features of Clean Air Action Plan of Amritsar City informing about the Air Quality of Amritsar. The Air Quality Index of Amritsar has reduced from 132 to 115 for the year 2017 and 2018 respectively. Further the monthly average value of AQI from January, 2019 to May 2019 is recorded as 100, which falls on the border of SATISFACTORY category.
Shiv Dular Singh Dhillon IAS Deputy Commissioner Amritsar came out strongly with a proposal of introduction of Metro Rail Project in Amritsar which can be effective for elimination of movements of vehicles carrying tourists in the city thereby reducing the vehicular emission.
Mrs. Komal Mittal IAS Additional Commissioner Municipal Corporation-cum-CEO, Amritsar Smart City Ltd., pointed out regarding the air emissions generated in the city due to construction and Demolition activities and proposed for establishment of 35-40 metric ton / day plant in Amritsar.
G.S Majithia Chief Environmental Engineer, Harbir Singh,Senior Environmental Engineer,and Dr. Charanjit Singh, cientific Officer Punjab Pollution Control Board were also present and they interacted with UNDP Team as well as other District Level Officers of Amritsar.
