Haryana unveils comprehensive plan for Air Quality Improvement in Delhi-NCR

In a major step towards tackling air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region, Haryana disclosed the state’s action plan for the year 2024-25. The plan focuses on transitioning the state’s bus fleet to cleaner alternatives, including electric, CNG, and BS-VI diesel buses. A meeting was held here on Wednesday pertaining to this under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal and he shared this information after participating in a virtual meeting convened by the Union Cabinet Secretary on air quality management in Delhi and the NCR region. The plan includes stringent timelines and action items for the replacement of BS-III/IV Diesel Buses.

Kaushal stated that State Transport Haryana has finalized the procurement of 375 e-buses under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model for operation in nine Municipal Corporation cities of Haryana. He assured that all 375 e-buses would be inducted by June 2024. Mr. Kaushal also mentioned the procurement of 200 e-buses through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), initiated for induction in Gurugram and Faridabad (100 e-buses each). The induction of all 200 e-buses is expected to be completed by December 2024. State Transport Haryana plans to add 500 new Standard BS-VI diesel buses and 150 HVAC BS-VI diesel buses meeting the latest BS-VI emission norms during the financial year 2024-25. All these proposed new buses will be inducted into the bus fleet by November 2024, he added.

He emphasized that only BS-VI compliant buses will be in operation by all depots of Haryana destined for Delhi. All BS-III compliant buses will be phased out from NCR depots before October 2024. All State-owned BS-IV compliant buses of adjoining cities of Delhi, namely Faridabad, Gurugram, and Sonipat, will be transferred to Non-NCR depots by October 2024. In their place, BS-VI compliant diesel buses will be allotted, enhancing the fleet’s environmental sustainability.

To address vehicular emissions, approximately 10 lakh vehicles have been color-coded in NCR districts to date. There is 100% adherence to regulations, with Registering Authorities refraining from issuing RCs without the mandatory affixation of High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) and Colour-Coded stickers, as per the prescribed guidelines. Kaushal informed that Dust Control and Management Cells (18 numbers) have been constituted by ULB, PWD, HSVP, NHAI and HSIIDC in NCR. Nodal officers have been appointed to oversee these cells.

Additionally, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has successfully launched a web portal for Dust Pollution Control Self-Assessment, facilitating the registration of construction projects on plots exceeding 500 square meters in the NCR. As of January 16, 2024, 738 sites have been registered, showcasing a proactive approach to environmental management. He also highlighted the deployment of a significant number of mechanical sweeping machines in the NCR. He said that 534 Anti Smog Guns have been installed at the construction sites in NCR for dust suppression.

Kaushal emphasized the Haryana Government’s proactive stance on stubble management, noting the establishment of paddy straw-based 2G ethanol plant by IOCL at Baholi, Panipat. This plant, with a total capacity of 100 KLPD each, is set to consume 2 lakh metric tonnes of paddy straw annually. The state boasts 23 operational crop residue-based briquetting plants with a cumulative capacity of 2.30 lakh TPA.

Chairman, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, P. Raghavendra Rao, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Sudhir Rajpal, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment Forest and Wildlife Department, Vineet Garg and other officers were present in the meeting.