Union Minister Chairs Meeting to Mitigate Air Pollution in Gurugram and Faridabad

Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav today chaired a high-level review meeting on air pollution mitigation action plans for Gurugram and Faridabad. This meeting was a part of a series of reviews for Delhi-NCR cities.During the meeting, Mr Yadav expressed concern over persistent issues such as legacy waste, traffic congestion, poor condition of rural roads, and violations of building by-laws in peri-urban areas.He noted that these are significantly contributing to environmental degradation in the National Capital Region. He called for strict action on vehicular emissions, non-compliant industries and illegal units involved in waste tyre burning.Mr Yadav stressed the need to fast-track solutions for municipal solid waste and construction and demolition waste, augment air quality monitoring stations, and improve road paving to control dust. He also highlighted the importance of public participation, urging urban cleanliness drives, behavioural change initiatives and greening of open spaces with indigenous plant species.The Minister appreciated best practices such as Faridabad’s Pothole Ambulance initiative and suggested their replication across NCR. He also directed the preparation of short-term and long-term plans to reduce vehicular pollution.