New Delhi:
The first “State of Environment Report” will be published in Delhi next year. It will contain data on all key areas including sewage, water, waste collection, and segregation.
The city government will likely also give funds to municipal corporations to help manage road dust and potholes, and prevent open waste burning.
“The problem resolution process is complicated by the sheer number of departments in Delhi. It would have been simpler if it was Nagpur, Mumbai or Chennai. According to an official, the objective is to ensure accountability in the respective departments.”
The Environment Department is currently in the process to put out a tender to find an agency to collect data and prepare the report. This includes all the departments involved, such as municipal corporations, Delhi Jal Board and Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board.
The official stated that data will be provided by municipal corporations on waste generation, segregation, and battery-operated vehicles. Data will also be provided by the Delhi Jal Board on water quality, sewage treatment, and sewer network. Information will also be provided by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board about jhuggi jhopri colonies.
The compilation work should start in February and will be completed at the end of March. He stated that this will be our first attempt at preparing a comprehensive report.
The Environment Department will also donate some of the Centre’s funds under the National Clean Air Programme to MCDs to help manage road dust and prevent open waste burning.
“This is also our first time giving funds to MCDs that have been complaining over the lack of resources to control pollution. It will help to fix accountability,” said the official.
Officials have revealed that the Union Environment Ministry has given Rs 11 crore to Delhi as part of NCAP to address critical gaps and improve air pollution management.
This is the first occasion Delhi has been granted funds under NCAP. NCAP a national strategy for a 20% to 30% reduction in PM2.5 and/or PM10 concentrations by 2024. The base year for comparison was 2017.
NCAP has allocated Rs 18.74 million to Delhi. According to a senior official at the Union Environment Ministry, the first installment of Rs 11 crore was released earlier in this month.
“The remainder of the amount will become available after Delhi submits utilisation certificate for up to 60% of the first instalment,” said he.