What is in news : In a move to curb and abate the air pollution levels arising from the Construction and Demolition (C&D) activities in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality and Management (CAQM) will periodically review compliance of dust mitigation measures at Construction & Demolition sites in the National Capital Region.

What are the other directions :

• Directs State governments of Haryana, U.P., Rajasthan and GNCTD to set up a ‘Web Portal’ for monitoring compliance of dust mitigation measures by project proponents
• All projects under Urban Local Bodies of NCR to mandatorily register at the web portal
• Provision of video fencing with remote connectivity to be incorporated in the web portal for effective monitoring of dust mitigation measures
• Project Proponents to install reliable and low-cost PM2.5 and PM10 sensors at the project sites

CAQM

• The Commission for Air Quality Management was formed by an ordinance in October 2020, the “Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance 2020”.
• Chairperson: To be chaired by a government official of the rank of Secretary or Chief Secretary.
• Will be a permanent body and will have over 20 members.
• Statutory authority.
• Supersede bodies such as the central and state pollution control boards of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan.
• Powers to issue directions to these state governments on issues pertaining to air pollution.
• Jurisdiction: Exclusive jurisdiction over the NCR, including areas in Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, in matters of air pollution, and will be working along with CPCB and ISRO, apart from the respective state governments.
• Will this new body also have penal powers: Yes, the Commission will have some teeth. If its directions are contravened, through say, the setting up of an industrial unit in a restricted area, the Commission will have the power to impose a fine of up to Rs 1 crore and imprisonment of up to 5 years.