Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A state-level review meeting of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was held at BMC office on Tuesday where municipal commissioner Harendra Narayan presented updates on efforts to improve air quality.
The meeting attended by officials from CPCB, MPPCB, RTO, and MANIT focused on strategies to reduce air pollution and enhance urban air quality. As part of its action plan, the BMC has planted nearly 2 lakh saplings this season across the city.
Commissioner Narayan informed the committee that last year’s plantation efforts matured into trees, contributing to greener surroundings and measurable improvements in air quality.
The NCAP meeting also addressed traffic-related pollution. Officials raised concerns over long signal wait times, which lead to prolonged vehicle idling and increased emissions. Recommendations were made to reduce signal durations and keep left turns clear to ensure smoother traffic flow.
Another major concern discussed was road dust, particularly after recent rains left gravel scattered across damaged roads. With dry weather persisting in last four days, dust levels have risen. In response, all 21 municipal zones have been tasked with intensified cleaning operations, focusing on removing dust from major roads to minimise airborne particles stirred up by traffic.
The commissioner also updated the panel on the operational Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) at Adampur Chhawani and Anna Nagar, which contribute to sustainable waste processing and pollution control.