LUCKNOW: With the Gorakhpur model for improving air quality and controlling pollution having yielded excellent results, the Uttar Pradesh government is set to implement it in 17 more non-attainment cities with a population of more than 10 lakh. Non-attainment cities are those that fail to achieve National Ambient Air Quality Standards for more than five years.
The UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) is chalking out the strategy to launch the action plan in the 17 cities from November, after directions from chief minister Yogi Adityanath.
In Gorakhpur, the municipal corporation, forest department and pollution control board have implemented infrastructure projects such as highway construction, road widening, parking facilities, end-toend paving of road and hotspot management in an efficient and strategic manner to improve air quality. The initiative has led to excellent results.
“There has been significant improvement in air quality in Gorakhpur in 2020-21. The number of days with good air quality has also increased. So, the same strategy was implemented in Rae Bareli and Khurja, leading to remarkable improvement in air quality there,” said UPPCB member secretary Ashish Tiwari.
He added, “The Dust app portal has been created, which will play an important role in preventing pollution during construction work by keeping a constant vigil on projects.
It is mandatory for all construction projects to upload dust control self-audit. Subsequently, the board will conduct cross audit through joint teams of departments concerned.” “Since road dust is the main cause of air pollution, the government has also issued instructions for mechanical cleaning, spraying and covering of construction material during transportation,” he added.
