Delhi air pollution: Agencies not doing enough, says CPCB

NEW DELHI: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has once again asked the enforcement agencies in Delhi NCR to join social media platforms so that the increasing number of grievances in their respective zones can be addressed. Terming the response to complaints at present ‘inadequate’, the CPCB told the agencies to inform it about the actions being taken and how compliance was being done.

The directions were sent to agencies like the three corporations, NDMC, DMRC, CPWD, DDA and other state pollution boards in Delhi NCR. While the same issue was raised at a CPCB task force meeting on November 14, sources said the issue was again raised recently.

“The issue has been highlighted a couple of times now and agencies can’t say they don’t know about this requirement. They have been asked to join social media platforms and look at grievances on different platforms. This has been conveyed through e-mails as well,” said a CPCB official speaking on condition of anonymity.

Officials said the CPCB member secretary also said the response to complaints lodged on CPCB’s SAMEER app had been ‘inadequate’.

“They have to join social media platforms and take action in respect to complaints concerning them. Actions on public complaints by enforcement bodies were found grossly inadequate. Many agencies have not even joined the social media platform,” the CPCB reportedly said at the meeting.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality, which is gradually deteriorating, remained in the ‘very poor’ zone on Tuesday with an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 352, a slight increase from Monday’s 336 (very poor). Forecasts show a gradual increase in pollution levels. However, the air quality is unlikely to dip to ‘severe’ in the next few days, officials said.