Why UP minister’s AQI advice changed from public transport to walking, carpool

NOIDA: Environment minister Arun Kumar Saxena on Friday urged NCR residents to use public transport as much as possible to reduce vehicular pollution, but settled for carpooling and walking — wherever possible — after accepting that metro connectivity was weak in several sectors.
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Saxena, who held a review meeting on deteriorating AQI levels ahead of winter, also expressed disappointment with officials of his department for failing to comply with guidelines regarding vehicular fitness. Officials representing the development authorities told the minister that 40 water sprinklers and 94 anti-smog guns were being used by Noida, while 31 water sprinklers and eight smog guns were pressed into service in Ghaziabad.
After the meeting, Saxena held a news conference, where he sought help from residents in fighting pollution. He urged residents to use public transport as much as possible, but was quick to tweak his statement after realising that metro connectivity hadn't penetrated several areas of Noida and Greater Noida.
"I understand we don't have metro connectivity along several stretches, but a plan for that is underway. People should be encouraged to carpool and walk as much as possible for shorter distances. This will not only reduce vehicular emission but will also be economical for people if practised properly," Saxena said.
Additional chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, who was accompanying the minister, expressed concern at the absence of the CEOs of Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway authorities at the meeting.
"Pollution is a serious concern, we are not going to let any authorities take it lightly," he told officials. "If found guilty, officials will be prosecuted without any question. EVs and vehicles running on CNGs should be encouraged and promoted at all levels. The transport department should hold weekly meetings with all three authorities, RWA members, and automobile manufacturers," he said.
Noida MP Mahesh Sharma, who also attended the meeting, said he was open to the idea of ‘pollution clinics' to tackle a spike in air quality. "We decided to impose fines on officials who were found negligent in penalising those violating GRAP guidelines."