Empowering ULBs essential to resolve emission woes

NEW DELHI: Experts claim that it is essential to empower local bodies and other local institutions to resolve issues related to air pollution and urban emissions. The comments came during a seminar organised by the Department of Environmental Engineering at Delhi Technological University (DTU) on Tuesday, February 21.

The seminar on urban emissions was aimed at bringing together experts from various sectors to discuss the cause and effects of urban emissions and find possible solutions to the problem of urban pollution via policy interventions and the involvement of educational institutions. The importance of smart mobility and air quality forecasting systems was also highlighted in the seminar.

While addressing the seminar Rajeev Kumar Mishra, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Engineering, DTU, stressed that we should focus more on “locally and readily available” solutions. He said, “For instance, to resolve dust pollution in my area, there should be a system wherein I can take MCD’s aid quickly, rather than waiting for CPCB [Central Pollution Control Board] or DPCC [Delhi Pollution Control Committee] for a solution. For this, we need to do capacity building for local institutions such as MCD [Municipal Corporation of Delhi], and also enhance the capabilities of academic institutes like DTU, IITs and other universities and state-level colleges.” Earlier, DTU also released a report which highlighted that the pollution under control (PUC) certification methods to control pollution are faulty and inefficient.