New Delhi [India], October 8 : The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed pollution control authorities in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) to "streamline and synergize efforts" in addressing public complaints related to air quality.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), NCR State Pollution Control Boards, and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) have been instructed to tag CAQM upon receiving public complaints on their respective social media platforms.
This move will enable the Commission to monitor the response time and effectiveness of the respective authorities in addressing these complaints.
This directive comes as winter approaches, a season when Delhi faces persistent pollution challenges, with air quality steadily declining and smog becoming an all-too-familiar burden for its residents.
"Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas has directed NCR State Pollution Control Boards/ DPCC today to streamline and synergize efforts in addressing air quality-related public complaints," the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said in a statement.
"The authority tagged for sending the complaint shall also be directed to upload compliance or reason for non-compliance on the same handle by tagging CAQM and CPCB," the statement mentioned.
The direction comes as part of an effort to ensure timely resolution of air pollution related complaints through enhanced monitoring, accountability, and enforcement.
NCR State Pollution Control Boards and DPCC have been directed to widely publicize the availability of this complaint mechanism through various means, including social media.
Chief Secretaries of NCR State Governments/GNCTD have been asked to also sensitize various authorities responsible for control measures for abating air pollution in the NCR.
Last week, the Supreme Court criticized CAQM for its failure to control stubble burning around Delhi, and said that the panel made no efforts to implement its directives to prevent such incidents.