Centre’s Air Quality Panel Issues Advisory to Combat Open Burning in Delhi

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 9th August. In response to persistent air quality issues, the Centre’s air quality panel has issued a new advisory targeting the open burning of municipal solid waste and biomass in Delhi. The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas has highlighted that compliance with the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-II has been “far from satisfactory.”

The advisory calls for immediate action from the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to address the problem. It directs the additional chief secretary of the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies and the MCD commissioner to ensure that resident welfare associations (RWAs) provide electric heaters to security staff and other service workers. This measure aims to prevent the common practice of burning biomass for warmth during the winter months.

The GRAP Stage-II, an emergency response plan for severe air quality deterioration, mandates that RWAs equip their security personnel with electric heaters to avoid open fires. The advisory cites the uncontrolled burning of mixed solid waste and biomass as a significant contributor to air pollution and associated health risks.

A review revealed that many residential complexes and RWAs have not adhered to previous directives, resulting in continued biomass burning for heating. The advisory urges immediate corrective actions and advises the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies and municipal bodies to widely communicate these requirements to all RWAs in Delhi. These bodies are also tasked with monitoring implementation and reporting back to the commission periodically.