Haryana's Industrial Cities Face Severe Air Quality Crisis

In a concerning revelation about Haryana's deteriorating air quality, industrial hub Sonepat emerged as India's third most polluted city, experiencing barely 147 days of clean air throughout 2023, reports The Haryana Story.

According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change's recent submission to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Sonepat's average PM10 levels reached 162 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023-24, significantly exceeding safe limits. 

Dharuhera in Rewari district presents an even more alarming picture, recording the highest PM10 levels in Haryana at 184 micrograms per cubic metre, with only 174 clean air days last year. 

"These findings highlight the urgent need for immediate action," says the NGT in its review of national air quality standards. 

However, there's a silver lining in Faridabad's story, which has shown a remarkable 24% improvement in air quality since 2017-18. The city's success is attributed to the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which invested Rs 73.53 crore in various environmental initiatives. 

The Haryana government has responded with comprehensive measures, including: - Transitioning 4,832 out of 5,052 NCR industries to clean fuels - Planning to eliminate diesel autos from NCR districts by 2026 - Implementing strict waste management systems across 45 urban bodies - Introducing new construction regulations requiring dust portal registration for projects over 500 square meters 

The Town and Country Planning Department's latest directive makes it mandatory for all new construction projects in the NCR to register on the Haryana State Pollution Control Board's dust portal, marking a significant step toward pollution control. 

"While some cities show improvement, the overall situation remains critical," notes The Haryana Story's environmental correspondent. "The success of Faridabad's clean air initiatives provides a blueprint for other cities to follow." 

The next NGT hearing, scheduled for November 5, will review the progress of these initiatives and potentially recommend additional measures to combat the region's air quality crisis.