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New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) Tarun Kumar Pithode, a 2009 batch officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Madhya Pradesh cadre, on Thursday took charge as the new full-time Member Secretary of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining areas.
Pithode, who served as Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has now assumed the role of Member-Secretary of the Commission, an official statement said.
He has been appointed for a tenure of five years till September 8, 2029 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Pithode will replace Arvind Kumar Nautiyal on this key post.
After Delhi recorded an average daily air quality index (AQI) of 296 – ‘poor’ category – on October 19, the Sub-Committee on Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the CAQM implemented a 12-point action plan as per Phase-II of the existing GRAP across the NCR.
On October 16, the Delhi government launched a comprehensive winter action plan for 2025-26 to tackle the seasonal increase in air pollution between October and February.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the scheme spans 25 action points under seven themes – road dust, vehicle emissions, industry and power, open burning and solid waste, citizen interface and monitoring, and green innovations – coordinating with over 30 departments and agencies across the capital.
Sirsa directed senior officials to ensure strict, time-bound implementation and real-time monitoring through green war rooms with clear accountability in PWD, MCD, NDMC, DSIIDC, DPCC, Transport, Delhi Police and allied agencies.
Emphasizing on preparedness, he said: “Compliance will be non-negotiable this winter – dust controls, construction norms, PNG-only industrial operations and targeted enforcement are being stepped up with precision and speed.”
The Environment Minister said all 30 stakeholder agencies including PWD, DDA, MCD, NDMC, DSIIDC, DPCC and Delhi Police have been directed to maintain daily coordination through the Green War Room.
“Citizens are our partners and they should use the Green Delhi app, follow GRAP advisories and opt for public transport and EVs as e-mobility increases in the city,” he said.
–IANS
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