Noida: With air quality that tend to touch the “moderate” range of “poor” between 21 and 24 October, certain steps in this category of the Response Action Plan (GRAP) are applied with direct effects in the National Capital Region (NCR) from Monday .
The central pollution control board has directed the institution concerned to ensure that all brick kilns remain closed, no burning of garbage and periodic mechanical sweeping or sprinkling water on the road is done.
It also directs authority to increase awareness to ensure strict compliance with PUC norms and shows zero tolerance for visible emissions.
According to the Uttar Pradesh (UPPCB) pollution control board, rainfall and northeast wind is likely to maintain a low level of pollution for the next few days.
But it might see a surge again between 21 and October 24 when the wind direction changes.
“Until now, we have the weather forecast until October 24.
The northwest wind is expected to start from October 21 (Thursday).
If there are many incidents of garbage combustion, it can soar the level of pollution,” said Utsav Sharma, regional officers uppcb, said.
On Tuesday, CPCB recorded AQI in 79 and 78 in Noida and Greater Noida.
Officials said that the Pollution Control Board maintained a close examination at eight pollution hotspots in Noida and had searched for daily reports from the department concerned at the implementation of Grap.
Hotspot air pollution in GB Nagar including Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, underpass and other construction sites along the toll road, 7x and 150 sectors, upside industrial areas, Pusta Hindon and Western Greater Noida Greater.
The main sources of pollution in most of these hotspots are road dust and construction activities.
Along the toll roads and Greater Noida West, vehicle emissions are also the main contributors while areas are not paved, too, add pollution in the upside area.
Action points that need to be ascertained include forming a quick response team (QRTS), the installation and operation of anti-fog weapons at the construction site, all mining sites are approved to ensure compliance with dust reduction steps and industry to ensure that air pollution control devices are operational.
All authorities must also ensure the spread of sprinkler fog and regular mechanical sweeping.
UPPCB officials told TOI that steps such as forming QRT, mechanical sweeping and controlling industrial emissions had been carried out.
However, the process of installing anti-fog weapons and ensures that all construction materials remain closed are still ongoing.
“The authorities have started the installation but will take time.
We monitor the process and it will be done soon,” said an uppcb official.