The government has signalled that patience is wearing thin as Delhi continues to gasp under hazardous air quality levels. On Monday, Environment and Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa issued a severe warning to private companies and illegal industrial units that disobey pollution control measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4). The government will undertake sealing drives, work-from-home mandates and vehicle checks. The message from the government was unmistakable, and compliance is no longer optional; enforcement will be swift and uncompromising.
WFH rules and a warning to private offices
Addressing a press conference, Sirsa expressed concern over reports that several private companies were flouting directions to revert to work-from-home. It is a key measure under GRAP-4 when the Air Quality Index breaches the 400 mark. The framework, designed as an emergency response to severe pollution, approves reduced vehicular movement and lower industrial activity to stop emissions. Sirsa said, “It has come to light that some private companies are not following these guidelines.” The government warned that complaints against violators would invite the strictest possible action. The minister made it clear that both government and private offices are counted on to follow the same standards. Public health mustn't be compromised for operational convenience.
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Crackdown on illegal industries and polluting units
The Delhi government has launched an extensive crackdown on illegal industries operating across the city. Sirsa notified that Deputy Commissioners of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, in coordination with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, have begun sealing non-legal industrial units in accordance with Supreme Court orders. “No more notices, no more chances,” the minister said, underlining that polluting and non-polluting illegal industries alike would be shut down. He added that action would also be taken against units that failed to apply for Online Continuous Emission or Effluent Monitoring Systems by the December 31 deadline.
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Sirsa reported that recent Western Disturbance activity had deteriorated weather conditions. The early signs suggested GRAP-4 measures were making a difference. Over the past four days, more than 2.12 lakh vehicles underwent pollution checks, with nearly 10,000 failing due to excessive emissions.
