We will have to take a decision for old vehicles cannot keep polluting the city forever,” said the chief minister, who was addressing a gathering at the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) which had organised an Environment Excellence Award.
“The state owned as well as the private transport vehicles also keep polluting the city, and we will have to fix the cutoff period after which these vehicles will have to be withdrawn from the road,” the chief minister said.
Bhattacharya also came down heavily on erring promoters who has been illegally filling up wet lands and putting up multistoried building there. “We have taken a decision to handle these erring promoters with a strong hand,” he said.
On the issue of dumping bio-medical wastes, he said that at present the wastes are just being dumped in dumping ground with no intention of destroying them. “We will from the next year make it mandatory to destroy these wastes which the hospitals will have to do it on their own or else face the wrath of the state.
For smaller issues like cutting off branches of trees, he said a 1,900 strong army of school children, christened green army has been formed who would try to create awareness and will fight against pollution. They are the best possible alternative medium through which we can create awareness.
The green army will work with the Pollution Control Board and also Non Government Organisations (NGO) to create and fight pollution to the extent possible by these army.
“An anti pollution drive for matters that are not very criminal by these kids have more effect than any other authorities, for they are an effective medium for creation of awareness,” the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister also asked for joint participation of Non-Government Organisation (NGO) for fighting pollution and other anti-environment problems which could be better addressed by these organisation than the police authorities.
