KATHMANDU, APRIL 13: The government has prepared a comprehensive work plan to make the capital free from air pollution. After a lengthy discussion, the meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Wednesday reached an understanding to implement the integrated work plan proposed by the Health Ministry to alleviate air pollution in Kathmandu valley in coordination with the concerned ministries.
With the air pollution in the capital posing acute health risks to Kathmandu denizens, the work plan in question has been proposed, said Health Minister Gagan Thapa.
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The air pollution alleviation work plan is intended to ensure the right to clean environment enshrined in Article 35 of the existing constitution, he added.
According to the proposed work plan, 23 government agencies including ministries and departments will make a concerted effort to make the capital free from air pollution. The cabinet meeting decided to hold discussions with concerned ministries and departments to develop a proper mechanism for the successful implementation of the proposed plan.
The work plan has proposed to take stern action against contractors failing to complete the construction work in time. It has laid an emphasis on the proper monitoring of physical construction activities, which contribute more than any other factors to air pollution.
According to the plan, 10-15 broomer machines capable of sucking dusts will be bought to remove the dust from the road. It has proposed to clean the dusty roads of the capital using dust-sucking machines once a day on a regular basis.
