Punjab has prepared comprehensive State Action Plan for Clean Air for non attainment cities by involving major Stakeholder departments with an aim to restore air quality to prescribed standards. The key components of the action plans are identification of sources of air pollution, creating awareness about adverse impact of pollution, measures to control pollution within fixed timeline and monitoring the activities for effective implementation of the action plans.
Three tier monitoring committees have been constituted to review progress w.r.t implementation of action plans on monthly basis.
Following major sources of air pollution have been identified viz a viz their key pollution control measures in the State:
Control of Industrial Emissions
- Conversion of industry to CNG/PNG from coal, furnace oil & pet coke
- Conversion of natural draft brick kilns to induced draft
- Conversion of induction units to side suction hood technology
- Demonstration of cost effective energy efficient & cleaner technologies
- Sill development of shop floor workers of industry
- Capacity building on better fuel preparation & firing practices
- Action against non-complying industrial units
Control of Vehicular Emissions
- Extensive drive against polluting vehicles
- Remote sensor based PUC system
- Promotion of E- vehicles
- Promotion of CNG & biofuels
- Introduce intelligent traffic systems
- Check fuel adulteration
Burning of Garbage, Agriculture & other Biomass
- Construction of composting pits in different parks for collection of horticulture waste to avoid burning of biomass in city
- Burning of municipal solid wastes stands prohibited. Regular inspection and Challenging should be done.
- Awareness among MC staff/Safai Sewak should be created.
- Create awareness among farmers regarding health effects of residue burning
- Identification of no. of fire incidents during harvesting season by PRSC
- Demonstration & dissemination of technology for in-situ & ex-situ utilization of agriculture residue
Control of Road Dust Emissions
- Maintain potholes free roads for free-flow of traffic
- Mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling of roads
- Creation of green buffers along the road sides
- Greening of parks, open areas, community places, schools and housing societies
- Water fountains at major traffic intersections
- Blacktopping of roads including pavement of road sides
Control of Construction & Demolition Activity
- Enforcement of Construction & Demolition Rules
- Ensure carriage of construction material in closed/covered vessels
Control of Emissions from other measures
- Dissemination of information on Air Quality Index
- Monitoring of DG sets and action against violation
Mitigation Measures for Controlling Air Pollution
- Conserve energy - at home, at work, everywhere
- Look for the ENERGY STAR label when buying home or office equipment
- Carpool, use public transportation, bike, or walk whenever possible
- Use of clean fuels like CNG and regular maintenance and check up of vehicles
- Mulch or compost leaves and yard waste
- Avoid burning leaves, trash, and other materials.
- Install energy efficient equipments in the industry
- Scheduled maintenance of air pollution control devices in industries for end of pipe treatment
Air Quality Related Standards