SRINAGAR: Parliamentarian Group for Climate Action (PGCA) has lauded the efforts and initiative taken by J&K Pollution Control Board towards improving the Air Quality of Non-attainment cities of Jammu and Srinagar.
In a communication sent to the Chief Secretary of J&K, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Dr. Vikas Mahatme who is a Padam Shri Awardee and an Ophthalmologist, Social entrepreneur & visionary, congratulated the UT of Jammu and Kashmir in general and JK PCB in particular for mandating the use of Retrofitting Emission Control Devices for DG Sets above 125 KVA for commercial Diesel driven vehicles of 1500 CC rating as per BS-IV standard and make below. Dr. Mahatme informed the Chief Secretary that he had convened the Parliamentarian Group for Climate Action (PGCA), which had held National Clean Air program inauguration event on 17-03-2020 with Sh. Prakash Javadekar, Minister for Environment and Forest Climate change, Information and Broadcasting and Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises as the Chief Guest.
The Parliamentarian Group for Climate Action appreciated the proactive and inspiring steps taken by the JK PCB towards improving their quality by ordering installation of Retrofitting Emission Devices in DG Sets above 125KVA and issuing directions to the Transport Department to install Retrofitting Emission Control Devices having a minimum 70% Particulate controlling efficiency for all Diesel driven vehicles with engine of 1500CC manufactured as per Bharat Stage-IV standard and below.
He further informed the Chief Secretary that following J&K’s example, many other states have also mandated the use of Retrofitting Emission Control Technology for DG sets including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Haryana .The Parliamentarian Group for Climate Action plans to highlight the efforts of JK PCB to improve the Air Quality as per National Clean Air Program (NCAP) during the monsoon session of Parliament.
Chairman JK PCB, Suresh Chugh expressed gratitude for recognition of the efforts of the PCB including Transport Department by the Parliamentarian Group for Climate Action and also appealed to all the stake holders to implement the orders of PCB regarding Retrofitting PCDs in DG Sets and Diesel driven commercial vehicles in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the emissions and to improve Air Quality of the state which shall go a long way in maintaining the clean atmosphere and health of people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Pertinent to mention that the Ministry of External Affairs on the request of Jammu and Kashmir Government has extended all possible assistance in facilitating early return of JK residents stranded abroad.
The passage of stranded Jammu and Kashmir residents from various parts of the country, in the wake of lockdown due to spread of global pandemic of corona virus, is high on the agenda of the administration and so far a large number of stranded people have been ferried by various modes of transport including railways into the UT.

KR Desk