L-G, CM Gupta take stock of pollution control measures

In a push to curb pollution in the Capital, Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday chaired a high-level review meeting at Lok Niwas (Raj Niwas), officials said.

At the meeting, they directed all government agencies to intensify action against dust, waste and debris. Officials were warned that negligence on pollution-control duties would lead to “strict consequences”.

The meeting was attended by Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma and senior representatives of all the departments concerned. Directions were issued for continuous inter-departmental coordination and immediate intervention in pollution hotspots. The L-G and the CM stressed that accumulation of waste and dust continue to be major contributors to air pollution and must be addressed.

A committee headed by the Chief Secretary will review compliance and issue directions daily. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) was ordered to clear waste from vacant land under its ownership and to prevent future dumping. The Municipal Corporation (MCD) will conduct an intensified cleanliness and dust-mitigation drive across the city.

District Magistrates were instructed to inspect pollution-control efforts in their jurisdictions. Officials said they will be authorised to record ACRs of negligent government employees. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) was asked to challan government departments failing to meet norms. The officials added that cases will be registered against agencies that conduct unauthorised road-cutting or do not restore roads on time.

Chief Minister Gupta said the government is striving for a permanent solution to pollution and highlighted the rollout of mist-spray systems at ITO, which will now be expanded citywide following successful pilot results.

She reiterated that no government or private agency will be spared for negligence and added that public participation remains essential for effective pollution control.