Latest news with #ChandigarhPollutionControlCommittee
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Chandigarh pollution control committee issues notices to government bodies to curb air pollution
1 2 Chandigarh: In a first, the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC), to mitigate air pollution in the city, issued notices to different govt bodies, including the UT engineering department, municipal corporation, Panjab University, and Indian Railways, delineating steps to be taken to curb air pollution. CPCC gave 15 days to the different govt agencies to respond to the notices. Saurabh Kumar, member secretary, CPCC, said, "Chandigarh comes under non-attainment cities because of not meeting prescribed ambient air quality standards, especially in the winter season, and the level of pollutants of particulate matter concentration (PM2.5 & PM10) goes beyond the prescribed standards for ambient air quality. Dust pollution is one of the major sources of air pollution, contributing high levels of PM concentration, i.e. , PM10 & PM2.5." Notices were issued as the whole of the Union Territory of Chandigarh was declared an Air Pollution Control area under the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Under Section 17(1) of the Air Act, 1981, the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee is to plan a comprehensive programme for the prevention, control, and abatement of air pollution and to secure execution thereof. The Committee is of the view that to tackle the problems of road dust resulting from road construction, re-modeling, repair, unpaved roads, and the open land from where soil is easily blown into the air because of traffic or winds, such activities are required to be monitored and regulated. The govt bodies like the municipal corporation and UT engineering department have been asked to take proactive steps in this direction as the owning/maintaining and road construction agencies have to play a greater role in the effective monitoring and implementation of dust control measures. Meanwhile, the Railways were issued notices as the loading and unloading area under its control in the Daria area of Chandigarh is causing a lot of air pollution in contravention of the provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Kumar said, "To curb air pollution, particularly during the winters, collective institutional effort is required." **BOX1: SOME OF THE MEASURES OUTLINED** **UT Engineering Department** - Shall cover the central verge with eco-friendly honeycomb paver blocks or with other aggregates. - Shall explore the possibility of washing roads at night time with tertiary treated wastewater. - Shall also explore the possibility of laying pipelines for the transportation of tertiary water on each main road and sub-road so that a mechanism can be worked out for spraying water at fixed intervals. - Shall use the by-products generated out of the Construction and Demolition Waste Processing Plant as rejects to use on the exposed soil wherever required. - Dust mitigation plan shall be incorporated in all construction projects. - Thick vegetation cover or pebbles, whichever is feasible, on vacant exposed ground. **Addition to Above for Municipal Corporation** - The municipal corporation shall purchase an adequate number of vehicles (preferably e-Vehicles) to cover the entire city to sprinkle water during the morning hours on the roads before manual sweeping. - Shall work out the mechanism for proper collection of fallen leaves and their disposal as it further leads to air pollution. **Railways** - To make arrangements to sweep the entire jurisdiction of the railway, including the loading and unloading area, and shall identify potential dust hotspots and make arrangements for spraying water in all such areas to suppress the dust. - To provide provisions for the washing of wheels of the vehicles entering and exiting from the loading/unloading/weighing area. - To take measures to ensure that there should be no exposed ground in railway premises and cover the exposed soil either with thick vegetation or pebbles, whichever is feasible. - To cover all the loading and unloading areas, including the roads and weighing bridge area, with eco-friendly honeycomb paver blocks or any other suitable material to restrict dust suspension. **BOX2: WINTER AIR POLLUTION** In the past few years, the Chandigarh winters witnessed severe air pollution. At one point in November last year, it was reported to have the worst air quality in the country. On several occasions in the last couple of years, it was among the top three worst air-polluted cities in the country. On average, though, spanning the year-long period, the air quality hovers around moderate air quality. MSID:: 121653902 413 |
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Chandigarh observes World Environment Day with cleanliness drive to beat plastic pollution
Chandigarh: In observance of , a was organised on Thursday by the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) in collaboration with the department of forest & wildlife, Chandigarh, and the Centre for Public Health, Panjab University. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Aligned with this year's global theme, 'Ending Plastic Pollution Globally', the initiative was a powerful call to action under the govt of India's Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) movement. Centred around the slogan 'Beat Plastic Pollution', the drive focused on spreading awareness about the dangers of plastic waste, the importance of sustainable alternatives, and effective waste management. The cleanliness campaign was conducted along the Sukhna Choe drain in the areas of Bapudham and Kishangarh, mobilising around 70–80 volunteers, including students, environmentalists, and concerned citizens. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation, as volunteers rolled up their sleeves to clear plastic waste from the drain areas while pledging to adopt eco-friendly habits and reduce reliance on single-use plastics. Addressing the gathering, Mr Anup Soni, conservator of forests, department of forest & wildlife, Chandigarh, stressed the invisible yet growing threat of microplastics. He explained how plastic particles infiltrate ecosystems and even human bodies through contaminated food and water, posing long-term health hazards. Highlighting innovative solutions, he shared a successful example from Bangalore where plastic waste is being effectively used in road construction, thereby extending road durability and offering an environmentally sound use of plastic refuse. He encouraged participants to embrace sustainable alternatives in daily life and emphasised the critical role of collective responsibility. "Integrated efforts between govt agencies, academic institutions, and the public are essential if we are to ensure a cleaner and healthier Chandigarh," he said.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
After yrs of oppn, animal carcass centre in UT all set for rollout
1 2 3 Chandigarh: After waiting for years, Chandigarh is all set to get its first modernised animal carcass disposal centre . The municipal corporation has completed the construction work and applied for consent to operate (CTO) with the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) to execute the project on the ground. Equipped with the latest technology, the centre is environmental friendly and constructed according to the guidelines of the central over approximately half an acre in Raipur Kalan, the project has a dual facility of an electric heater as well as a gasifier to dispose of dead animals scientifically. The centre, built at a cost of around Rs 2 crore, took around six months for completion."The animal carcass centre was originally a project of the Chandigarh Smart City Limited, which planned and did all the required paperwork. Since the project has been given to a private company for a five-year period, the successful bidder will maintain the centre and ensure its proper functioning. Out of the total cost, around Rs 1.7 crore was spent on construction, while the remaining around Rs 30 lakh is kept for operation and maintenance (O&M). The CPCC is the main authority to give consent by verifying all the environmentally friendly and guideline aspects, so it will go through the entire technical and environmental aspects. MC has already applied for a consent to operate," MC officials establishment of the animal carcass centre had faced significant resistance from both citizens and municipal councillors, who had strongly opposed its construction in their localities. The initial proposal for Sector 25 had to be abandoned due to public opposition, forcing the authorities to consider the Industrial Area, which also met with resistance. Despite assurances from officials about the use of advanced technology that would prevent odour, smoke, and gas emissions, their attempts to convince the public proved unsuccessful. Ultimately, the authorities selected an isolated location in Raipur Kalan for the facility. The centre represents a shift from the previous practice of burying dead animals to a more scientific disposal method at the dedicated of delay The project had been hanging fire for years since the need for a permanent animal carcass incinerator was first felt. The tendering for the project has also been done multiple times and finally the work was also the project failed to take off mainly because of the controversies surrounding its project, tendering process for which was undertaken by the Chandigarh Smart City Ltd (CSCL), has seen the proposed site shifting multiple times. The sites included Sector 25 and Industrial Area was strong opposition from the local residents. Residents of Sector 38, Sector 25 and Dadumajra vehemently opposed the plant in their area. The plant faced similar opposition when it was proposed to be set up in Industrial opposition elsewhere It was not only in Chandigarh where the carcass centre project faced strong opposition. In Ludhiana, a similar facility constructed under the Smart City Mission in Noorpur village has remained non-operational since its completion in July 2021. The facility, designed for scientific disposal of animal remains , faced opposition from local residents even before its official launch. Despite administrative efforts to commence operations, the plant has remained dormant. Although it briefly operated for approximately a week during MP elections following National Green Tribunal directives, local farmers and villagers continued their protests. Former MP Ravneet Singh Bittu participated in the demonstrations, leading to a police complaint being filed against him after he padlocked the facility's entrance. Currently, authorities are exploring alternative locations for the facility. However, each proposed site has met with strong resistance from local communities, creating an ongoing challenge for the project's implementation.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
ETP at GMCH ready, UT health dept seeks consent to operate
1 2 3 Chandigarh: The UT health department has sought consent to operate (COP) from the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) for the newly built effluent treatment plant (ETP) at Government Multi-Specialty Hospital (GMSH-16). The CPCC's technical team will conduct a thorough inspection and technical evaluation of the newly constructed facility. "The Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) will evaluate and verify all technical specifications and parameters established by the central government for the project. During the pre-certification inspection for the Consent to Operate, the CPCC will thoroughly examine the effluent treatment measures implemented. The certification will be granted only if the project's planning and construction meet all prescribed parameters and specifications," officials said. The CPCC technical team must evaluate every aspect while granting operational consent to prevent future complications. The performance monitoring will be a significant consideration after the facility becomes operational. "During the consent approval process, alongside document verification and written assessments, conducting a thorough physical inspection of the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) remains essential. This comprehensive evaluation forms a critical component before granting the Consent to Operate for the project," officials revealed. The ETP project, costing approximately Rs 6 crore, was strategically positioned away from the hospital's main structures to ensure efficient operation and management. "Though the paperwork for the project started in 2023, the construction work took approximately a year. The capacity of this ETP is 500 kilolitres per day. This project was planned for a minimum of 20 to 25 years with an option to expand as per the requirement," an official of the UT said.
