New Delhi
As Delhi-NCR witnessed its third consecutive smog-laden day, watchdogs NHRC and NGT took to task the Centre and the governments of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi on the steps taken so far.

Heavy pollution prompted the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Government to announce its odd-even car formula for a five-day period from November 13, even as the BJP-led Central Government constituted a seven-member committee headed by the Union Environment Secretary to monitor and suggest short-term and long-term solutions to curb air pollution in the Capital.

The committee decided to ask the governments to fully implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), including control of road and construction dust, garbage burning, control of power plants and industrial emissions, entry of vehicles and several other related factors.

It was also decided to ensure that apart from other directions, closure of brick kilns, hot-mix plants, stone crushers, intensification of public transport, sprinkling of water and mechanised sweeping of roads, ban on construction, ban on use of pet coke and furnace oil be fully implemented.

The committee, which also includes the Delhi Chief Secretary, will meet regularly to ensure enforcement.

In a severe commentary on the prevailing situation in Delhi, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today questioned the Centre and states concerned (Punjab, Haryana and Delhi) over steps taken so far and issued them notices.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), too, slammed the governments for flagrant violation of the prescribed limits of particulate matter (PM) 10 and 2.5, recommending a slew of directions to deal with the situation.

These include a ban on construction and industrial activities, and on entry of trucks causing emissions till November 14.

With farmers of Punjab and Haryana facing flak for the situation in the Capital, sources say one of the suggestions at the Centre’s meeting was that the governments should step in to manage the stubble issue. “Farmers cannot be expected to dispose of the stubble in the recommended way, it just doesn’t make economic sense for them,” an official said.

Quoting studies, they say stubble burning is just one part of the Delhi pollution, which is due to many factors, majority local.

While the NHRC has ordered states governments to spell out steps taken to prevent crop burning in regions adjacent to the NCR, the states say “Delhi is equally, if not more, responsible for its problems”.

“High pollution levels are prevalent throughout the year due to factors like road dust, diesel gensets, vehicular pollution, construction and demolition, industrial and domestic activities.”