The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) held a high-level meeting chaired by the Commissioner to address the rising Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city.
Senior officials from the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), NCAP consultants, sanitation officers, and zonal commissioners participated in the deliberations.
The Commissioner welcomed the participants and urged immediate action to tackle pollution. After detailed discussions, the following decisions were announced:
- Water Sprinkling at Lingaraj Temple Area: A vehicle-mounted fogging machine will sprinkle water for 3–4 hours daily, covering the temple, market complex, and bus stand.
- Closure of Coal/Wood-Based Kitchens: Hotels, dhabas, schools, kalyan mandaps, and picnic spots using coal or wooden chullahs will face closure, except religious institutions.
- CRUT Bus Depots and Stands: CRUT must ensure daily water sprinkling, cleaning, and washing of buses. Similar action will be taken at the BSABT bus parking areas.
- Ban on Open Burning: Zonal Commissioners will identify violators and enforce strict action against garbage burning.
- Clean Fuel for Mid-Day Meals: Schools must use clean fuel for cooking under the Mid-Day Meal Programme.
- Advisory for Picnic Spots: Solid fuel use will be prohibited at picnic spots until March 2026.
- Road Improvement and Dust Control: IDCO will improve road conditions and conduct water sprinkling thrice daily to reduce PM10 and PM2.5 levels.
- Building Plan Approvals: Large projects must install AQI monitoring instruments, cover heavy vehicles, wash vehicles before site entry, and fully clad construction sites. Non-compliance will lead to the cancellation of approvals.
- C&D Waste Recycling Plant: BMC will float RFPs and EOIs for a plant to manage construction and demolition waste.
- Ready Mix Plants: All units must comply with SPCB guidelines, including water sprinkling and vehicle washing.
The Commissioner emphasised strict enforcement of these measures to ensure cleaner air and better public health in Bhubaneswar.
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