The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed grave concern over the alarming deterioration of air quality in Bhopal, noting an unprecedented rise in the Air Quality Index (AQI) that poses an immediate and serious threat to the health and lives of city residents while adversely affecting the environment. The green watchdog highlighted that the AQI has repeatedly fallen into the very poor category, with readings as high as 336.
100-Day Action Plan Mandated
The Bhopal-based central bench of the NGT has directed authorities to prepare a comprehensive 100-day action plan to mitigate air pollution for the period from November to January, when the AQI is typically at its worst in the city. The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other respondents in the case have been asked to submit an action taken report (ATR) before the next hearing, scheduled for August 20.
Petition and Health Concerns
The bench, comprising Justice Sheo Kumar Singh and expert member Vineet Kumar Chaturvedi, was hearing a petition filed by the Bhopal Citizens' Forum and environmental activist Rashid Noor Khan. The petition sought directions to stop the artificial manipulation of AQI monitoring and to implement immediate and urgent measures to reduce air pollution. The tribunal noted that the harmful effects of air pollution on human health have prompted the petitioners to seek immediate remedial action.
The NGT observed that multiple health effects have been linked to air pollution, ranging from skin and eye irritation to severe neurological, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases. Prolonged exposure to elevated pollution levels also increases mortality rates. Additionally, the tribunal pointed out the adverse economic impacts, including increased healthcare costs and reduced productivity due to illness.
Specific Measures Required
The tribunal instructed the BMC and other stakeholders to ensure that the action plan includes components as decided by the joint committee constituted by the NGT. The measures should encompass:
- Enforcement of solid waste collection and imposition of fines or challans for home burning activities.
- Ban on burning wood or coal in hotels, as well as bonfires and firecrackers.
- Introduction of LPG or electric heaters as alternatives.
- Construction of pits in gardens for waste disposal.
- Enforcement of heavy vehicle restrictions in the city.
Furthermore, the tribunal directed that a campaign be undertaken to inspect four-wheelers and commercial vehicles for emissions, along with special drives to increase green cover in Bhopal.
Vehicular Emissions and Construction Dust
The NGT emphasized that controlling vehicular emissions, a major source of air pollution in the city, must be addressed. For construction dust and construction and demolition (C&D) waste management, strict dust control measures at construction sites should be enforced.
