Delhi anti-pollution agency battling severe staff crunch

Delhi's pollution watchdog which is responsible for implementing and coordinating the majority of efforts to check air, water and noise pollution in the national Capital is battling a severe manpower crunch, according to an official report.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

According to the report submitted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to the National Green Tribunal, nearly 68% sanctioned posts (233 of the 344) in the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) are currently vacant. HT has a copy of the report.

DPCC regulates anti-pollution activities and implements environmental and pollution control laws in Delhi. The body runs 24 of Delhi's 40 ambient air quality monitoring stations and 31 noise pollution monitors, carries out water quality tests at Delhi's sewage treatment plants, effluent treatment plants and the Yamuna. It also monitors and ensures industries in Delhi meet pollution norms. It also acts as the nodal agency for enforcement of several Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) measures.

The tribunal sought the report after taking suo-motu cognizance of an October 24 news article, which said that pollution control boards were the "weak links" in the fight against air pollution. The tribunal had asked for the status of vacancies and efforts undertaken by each state's pollution body.