Telangana Government mulls ways to improve air quality

Chief Advisor to the Government Rajiv Sharma holds review meeting with officials from various departments over air pollution

Hyderabad: Chief Advisor to the Government and Chairman of State Pollution Control Board Rajiv Sharma held a review meeting with the senior officials from Transport, Civil Supplies, Police, and Municipal Administration to assess the steps taken by various departments regarding prevention and control of air pollution in Hyderabad and other towns in the State.

Addressing the meeting, Dr Rajiv Sharma said that air pollution had been viewed seriously by the Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal which have issued specific directions from time to time to improve the air quality. He said that urgent steps are required to improve air quality particularly in the areas where the levels exceed the stipulated standards.

He advised to launch public awareness campaign for air pollution control, vehicle maintenance and minimising use of personal vehicles. He observed that a multipronged, sustained and integrated approach including close monitoring of implementation will have positive effects.

The functioning of Hyderabad Traffic Integrated Management System was also reviewed in the meeting. He suggested that multilevel parking places should be developed and parking places should be identified at commercial establishments and schools in the city. He emphasized the need to promote alternate fuels like LPG and CNG and restrict overloading of vehicles.

He directed the municipal administration department to formulate a time frame for the implementation of green buffers, pot hole free roads, greening of the city, water foundations, black tapping of roads and widening of roads.

He stated that extensive drive should be launched against burning of bio-mass, crop residue and garbage, ensure a regular check and control of burning of municipal solid waste, and also to control industrial emissions. He directed the civil supply department to check fuel adulteration and random monitoring of fuel quality data.