Delhi-NCR's Pollution Complaint Surge: Accountability in Question

The Central Pollution Control Board received over 800 pollution complaints in Delhi-NCR in ten months, yet no action against officers was documented. Legal notices were issued to local bodies, while the Commission for Air Quality Management urged faster complaint resolutions to improve air quality measures.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has faced a surge in pollution-related complaints from Delhi-NCR, tallying over 800 submissions in the past ten months, an RTI response revealed.

Filed by environmentalist Amit Gupta, the RTI disclosed 665 complaints from Delhi, 143 from Noida, and 28 from Gurugram and Faridabad as of October 29, all through digital platforms. Yet, there's no evidence of disciplinary action against officials for neglecting their duties under a 2018 Supreme Court mandate.

While the CPCB issued legal notices to various local bodies, the Commission for Air Quality Management stressed the urgent need for efficient complaint handling, as air quality remains critical, illustrated by a "very poor" AQI of 349.

(With inputs from agencies.)