Noida, September 16: The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has decided to take action against eateries using coal or wood as fuel before October 10. According to a report published in Hindustan Times, the decision has been taken to control air pollution and implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) ahead of winter. The survey has been conducted to prepare an inventory of all eateries using wood and coal as fuel.

“Construction projects will be dealt with zero tolerance as dust from these sites is a predominant pollutant. Coal fuel at eateries, brick kilns and other recommendations of the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) are also being surveyed and relevant steps will be taken strictly and very soon,” reported Hindustan Times quoting BN Singh, district magistrate as saying. Singh on Friday chaired a meeting with all departments on Friday evening regarding pollution preparedness.

Meanwhile, restaurant owners claimed the food would not taste as same if electric tandoor is used and also expressed the willingness to control fumes by using filters. According to the report, the administration will keep a check on major construction projects like illegal hot mix plants, diesel generator sets, stone crushers and road repair projects not following National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) orders.

The GRAP has also recommended to increase public transport and prepare alternate routes for traffic diversion. In addition to this, the action plan also recommended an increase in a parking fee by three to four times. A survey of all these recommendations will be conducted by October 10, and they are expected to be implemented by October 15, the report stated. Last year also, these recommendations were put forward but could not be implemented in the NCR cities of Uttar Pradesh.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 16, 2018 10:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).