Haryana orders pollution crackdown across NCR ahead of GRAP enforcement

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Haryana Forest, Environment and Wildlife Minister Rao Narbir Singh on Thursday directed officials to implement visible and effective pollution control measures across the National Capital Region (NCR), including Gurugram, without waiting for the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to come into force.

Chairing a review meeting with officers of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) from Gurugram, Rewari, Nuh and Mahendragarh districts, Singh emphasised that preventive action, regular monitoring and strict enforcement of environmental norms were essential to tackling pollution.

The minister reviewed the progress of ongoing pollution control initiatives and directed officials to strengthen measures aimed at identifying pollution sources and ensuring compliance with prescribed standards.

He said the administration must adopt a proactive approach rather than waiting for pollution levels to deteriorate before initiating corrective measures.

According to an official statement, Singh made it clear that merely completing procedural formalities would not be sufficient and that the effectiveness of pollution control measures must be visible on the ground.

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹

The minister directed HSPCB officials to submit weekly reports detailing the measures undertaken to control pollution and the progress achieved in their respective districts.

These reports would form the basis for regular reviews and corrective action wherever shortcomings were identified.

Singh said municipal corporations and the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) would also be directed to undertake necessary measures based on the findings of the Pollution Control Board.

He stressed that coordination among departments was crucial to ensuring that pollution control initiatives were implemented effectively.

The minister said all agencies concerned must work together to address pollution sources and maintain compliance with environmental regulations.

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀, 𝗥𝗠𝗖 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀

Singh directed officials to pay particular attention to construction sites, ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants and road-cleaning arrangements, identifying these as areas requiring closer monitoring to prevent air pollution.

He called for regular inspections to ensure that construction activities and industrial operations adhered to prescribed pollution control standards.

The minister also instructed officials to strengthen the identification of pollution sources and take appropriate enforcement action wherever violations were detected.

He said road-cleaning arrangements must be monitored to ensure that dust pollution was effectively controlled.

The directions come as NCR districts prepare for the seasonal deterioration in air quality associated with the onset of winter.

Singh maintained that preventive measures must be implemented before restrictions under GRAP become necessary.

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁

To strengthen enforcement, the minister directed that the number of HSPCB officers and staff deployed in NCR districts be increased.

He said additional personnel would help improve the identification of pollution sources, conduct regular inspections and ensure compliance with environmental norms.

The minister emphasised that effective enforcement required adequate manpower and continuous supervision.

He also sought suggestions from officers attending the meeting on improvements needed in existing pollution control arrangements.

Singh said practical recommendations from field officials should be considered to strengthen monitoring and implementation.

𝗦𝗧𝗣𝘀, 𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗸 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘆

Apart from air pollution, Singh directed officials to strengthen monitoring of sewage treatment plants (STPs) and bulk waste generators.

He instructed the Pollution Control Board to collect samples from different locations representing various pollution levels and categories.

Officials were also asked to regularly inspect sewage treatment plants and collect and test as many samples as possible from bulk waste generators.

The minister said systematic sampling and testing were necessary to assess pollution levels accurately and identify areas requiring intervention.

He stressed that monitoring must be conducted regularly and that departments should act promptly on findings indicating non-compliance.

𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗠'𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

Referring to a recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Haryana MLAs, Singh said the Prime Minister had emphasised the need to improve civic amenities in Gurugram.

The minister said he was accountable to residents as a public representative and that addressing pollution and improving civic infrastructure were important responsibilities of the government.

He stressed that these efforts should not remain confined to Gurugram but should extend across NCR districts.

Singh reiterated that departments must ensure time-bound reviews, continuous monitoring and effective implementation of pollution control measures.

He said the government's objective was to achieve measurable improvements rather than merely demonstrate that administrative action had been initiated.

The minister directed officials to maintain close coordination and ensure that preventive measures were implemented consistently across the region.