The state government has roped in two premier institutes for consultancy and advisory activities in a bid to reduce air pollution in key towns of Jharkhand under centrally sponsored National Clean Air Programme (NACP). A formal memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with BIT-Mesra (Ranchi) and IIT-ISM (Dhanbad) for rolling out different activities under five different urban local bodies (ULBs) in coming days.

Union minister of forest, environment and climate change Prakash Javedkar and senior officials also attended the MoU signing programme via video conferencing held at Project Building.

Officials of the state urban development department, which is the overall controlling body of all the ULBs, said that the MoU was signed between concerned civic body, Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) and the institute.

While BIT-Mesra is entrusted to provide technical guidance to reduce air pollution in Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Jugsalai and Mango, IIT-ISM will be in charge of Dhanbad, country’s coal capital.

“BIT signed MoU with respective ULBs in Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Jugsalai and Mango. As part of this, they will conduct studies on the current situation of the air pollution in these places, and suggest on ways to tackle the impending dangers to ensure clear air for residents. Similarly, IIT-ISM will work in coordination with the civic body in Dhanbad. JPCB will be an overall agency to monitor the ongoing works, and developments to ensure timely implementation of different mitigation plans,” read an official note, released by the state urban development department on Friday evening.

Ranchi mayor Asha Lakra said, "We have been focusing to ensure all-round cleanliness, both in locality and local environment through different initiatives in the recent times. The tie-up will further equip them with latest and technical knowledge to pursue their mission."

“Recently, we roped in a specialized agency for waste collection and disposal in a scientific manner. Also, GAIL India came on board to help us generate biomass using the organic municipal waste for clean fuel. This apart, we are trying to increase the urban green cover through plantation drives wherever possible and also beautifying different parts of the city to give it a refreshing look. In terms of mobility too, focus is on promoting cycling, CNG autos and the likes as individual and public transport,” she said.

Earlier during the programme, Union minister Javedkar informed about the initiatives undertaken by the Centre under the national clean air programme.

He said, “The union government has now allowed BS-6 vehicles to phase out the older ones to reduce vehicular pollution. This apart, under Amrut yojana scheme, union government is asking states to focus on improving eco-friendly public transport system for which central assistance is being provided.”

Notably, NCAP was launched in January 2019 by the Government of India to keep a tab on air pollution. It aims to reduce PM 2.5 and PM10 levels by 20-30 per cent by 2024 from that recorded in 2017. Among the 122 cities falling under the non-attainment cities, Dhanbad from Jharkhand is part of the list.