17 Flying Squads Formed To Check Pollution In Delhi-NCR: Centre To SC
The apex Court granted 24 hours deadline to the Centre and Delhi government to come up with a serious plan to curb pollution on Thursday
Mumbai: The Commission for Air Quality Management in Delhi-NCR on Friday filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court saying it has constituted an enforcement task force of 17 flying squads to monitor compliance with its directions to control air pollution in the national capital region.
The Commission told the apex court that an Enforcement Task Force of five members has been constituted by it in the exercise of its statutory power and 17 flying squads are constituted to act against violators. The number of flying squads would be increased to 40 in the next 24 hours, Commission added.
Since December 2 (Thursday), the flying squads started to function in the region and have conducted surprise checks at 25 sites. The flying squads will directly report to the Enforcement Task Force of the Commission, it added.
The affidavit stated the Enforcement Task Force itself will exercise powers of taking punitive and preventive measures against the non-compliant/defaulting persons/entities.
The Commission further told the Supreme Court that schools and colleges in NCR shall remain closed till further orders. They are only allowed to use the online mode of application except for the purpose of conducting examinations and laboratory practicals etc.
Operation of thermal power plants within three hundred kilometres of the radius of Delhi shall continue to be regulated in terms of commissions latest order dated November 30. 2021, whereby, only five out of eleven thermal power plants, have been permitted to schedule their operations and the rest have been directed to remain inoperative till at least December 15, 2021, the affidavit stated.
On industrial pollution, the Commission has further directed on December 2, 2021, that industrial operations and processes in NCR, where gas is not available and the said industrial unit is not running on PNG or cleaner fuels shall be allowed to operate only up to eight hours a day during weekdays and shall remain closed during Saturday and Sunday, the affidavit said.
The commission has also banned the entry of trucks in Delhi, except for CNG and electric trucks and trucks carrying essential commodities.
Earlier on Thursday, expressing concern on rising air pollution in Delhi-NCR, the Supreme Court granted 24 hours deadline to the Centre and Delhi government to come up with a serious plan to curb pollution. A Bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant asked the Centre and Delhi government to take a hard look at the situation and come up with a solution.
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