Only 40-60% of actions to fight air pollution completed so far in Delhi, nearby States

NEW DELHI Delhi and the adjoining districts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab have so far implemented just 40 to 60% of the anti-pollution measures outlined in their annual action plans, official sources said. The action plans were submitted by the States to the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) in January and finalised in February this year.

All the States have been directed to accelerate their efforts. The current level of actions is not satisfactory, but it is a good start. All States have tried and done work in different sectors, but more needs to be done,” an official source said. Though the plans span the entire year, actions were supposed to be completed in phased deadlines.

While some have been completed, several deadlines have been missed, said the source. The States were directed to execute a major portion of the actions by October 31, ahead of the seasonal spike in air pollution. “Rajasthan is the worst performer and Uttar Pradesh is the best as per data updated till September 30.