Chief Secretary directs action against industries causing air pollution; concerned departments asked to appoint nodal officers
Directions to expedite tender processes to address shortage of resources and machinery available for stubble management
Lucknow, August 2026 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed concern over rising air pollution in the NCR region and directed officials to take necessary steps for its effective prevention. Recently, the Chief Secretary held a high-level meeting with officials of concerned departments to strengthen stubble management. The meeting reviewed measures being taken to improve air quality, and officials were directed to ensure necessary action within a stipulated timeframe.
The meeting focused particularly on reviewing the resources and agricultural machinery available for stubble management. Officials were directed to ensure the availability of necessary balers and other agricultural machinery so that farmers do not face any difficulties in managing crop residue. They were also instructed to complete pending tender processes at the earliest to address the shortage of machinery.
Officials were asked to strengthen monitoring at the field level to effectively control incidents of stubble burning and create awareness among farmers against burning crop residue. At the same time, maximum utilisation of available resources for stubble management was emphasised.
The meeting also directed strict action against industries causing air pollution. Officials were instructed to conduct regular inspections of industrial units violating pollution control standards and ensure action as per rules against industries failing to comply with prescribed norms.
Emphasis was also laid on better coordination among various departments. Each concerned department was directed to designate a nodal officer to ensure effective monitoring and timely implementation of measures related to air pollution prevention.
The Chief Secretary laid special emphasis on the management of paddy straw and said that necessary steps should be taken immediately for its effective management. To address the shortage of resources and machinery for stubble management, the tender process for arranging balers and other essential agricultural machinery should be completed on time so that crop residue can be managed effectively.
Reviewing road development and maintenance works, he directed that necessary tenders related to road redevelopment and prevention of road dust be processed on time and the works completed within the prescribed timeframe. He also directed that pothole repairs and restoration of damaged footpaths be undertaken on priority.
The Chief Secretary said, "Information regarding damaged roads under the Public Works Department, municipal bodies/local bodies, housing and urban development-related departments should be immediately shared with the concerned departments so that necessary repair and improvement works can be carried out in a time-bound manner. Action should also be taken against industries causing air pollution, and they should be directed to install necessary equipment to prevent pollution."
He directed officials to expedite the procurement process for EV city buses. At the same time, potential locations for the required EV charging points should be identified immediately and the details provided to UPNEDA so that the development of charging infrastructure can be expedited.
The meeting also directed every concerned department to designate a nodal officer to ensure better coordination among departments. The Chief Secretary said, "Accurate, complete and updated data must be mandatorily entered by the concerned departments on the Pawan Portal so that the actual progress of air pollution control measures can be effectively assessed." He directed officials to ensure progress in the end-to-end vehicle seizure process. Show-cause notices should be issued to officials responsible in districts that fail to achieve the expected progress, while monthly targets should be set for regular review of the work. Various activities should also be undertaken to raise public awareness.
