In a significant move to address the deteriorating air quality in Madhya Pradesh, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) central bench in Bhopal has issued crucial directives. On Thursday, the tribunal instructed a specially formed expert committee to prepare a detailed factual report on the air pollution crisis in seven cities across the state.
Seven Cities Under Scrutiny for Failing Air Standards
The cities in focus have been officially designated as 'non-attainment' cities by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This classification is a result of these urban centers consistently failing to meet the prescribed National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for harmful particulate matter, specifically PM10 and PM2.5, for over five consecutive years. The state capital, Bhopal, is among the seven cities under the scanner.
NGT's Multi-Pronged Directive for Clean Air
The bench, comprising judicial member Sheo Kumar Singh and expert member Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi, laid out a comprehensive plan. The primary directive to the seven-member expert committee is twofold. First, they must file a factual and current report on air quality in these cities. Second, and more importantly, the panel is tasked with formulating and implementing a robust 'Air Pollution Response Mechanism'.
The core objective of this mechanism is to reverse the trend of declining air quality. To ensure effective ground-level execution, the NGT also mandated the formation of a separate, local committee. This execution panel will include key district officials such as the collector, municipal commissioner, superintendent of police, and the Regional Transport Officer (RTO).
Focus on Airsheds and Time-Bound Action
The tribunal's order shows a nuanced understanding of air pollution, which does not respect city boundaries. The bench stated that the committee will identify airshed areas around the non-attainment cities. This includes semi-urban and rural zones whose pollution levels impact the air quality of the main cities.
Furthermore, the expert panel must prepare a structured, time-sensitive action plan for these airsheds. This plan is to be specifically designed for implementation during months when the Air Quality Index (AQI) typically worsens, indicating a seasonal strategy. The Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) has been given a strict deadline of six months to submit a compliance report to the tribunal on these directives.
This intervention by the NGT underscores the severe and persistent nature of the air pollution problem in central India. By ordering a factual report, a response mechanism, and a localized execution plan, the tribunal aims to move beyond identification of the problem to enforcing tangible, actionable solutions for cleaner air.
