Summary:
In Punjab, nine cities have been listed under the programme which include Dera Bassi, Mandi Gobindgarh, Jalandhar , Khanna, Ludhiana, Naya Nangal, Pathankot (Dera Baba Nanak) and Patiala . Sources in the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) said the board has already written to over 200 coal-based rolling mills at Mandi Gobindgarh and Khanna industrial clusters to convert to pressurised natural gas (PNG). The draft also includes synchronisation of traffic lights in all cities to cut down on vehicular emissions, identifying the dust points and generating public awareness to keep the cities clean. Besides, around 250 induction furnaces at Ludhiana and Mandi Gobindgarh clusters have been asked to install induction hoods over 3000 crick kilns have been asked to upgrade the traditional chimneys to zig-zag technology. The issues of curtailing pollution created by the burning of the crop residue has also been addressed to in the detailed action plan under the subhead of biomass burning, while the pollution of power plants has been covered under the pollution from the industry..