With neighbouring Delhi banning all construction from Thursday till November 10, the Uttar Pradesh government also stepped in, instructing the state's western districts, in and around the National Capital Region (NCR), to suspend all construction activities between November 1 and 10. It also ordered shutting down industries using coal and biomass fuel for a week, to check pollution, asking them to ensure "strict compliance" to other guidelines framed by the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA).

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"All authorities are requested to bear in mind the seriousness of the issue and ensure strict implementation of the orders," Anup Chandra Pandey, UP chief secretary, said in a communique sent to divisional commissioners Meerut and Saharanpur. A copy was also marked to district magistrates of Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Meerut, Baghpat, Muzaffarnagar, Bulandshahr and Shamli.All construction activities involving excavation, civil construction (excluding internal finishing/work where no construction material is used) to remain closed in NCR districts from November 1 to 10, the letter stated. All stone crushers, hot mix plants generating dust pollution to remain closed in the districts during the period, it further read.

The UP government letter also said that all industries using coal and biomass fuel (excluding thermal and waste to energy plants) should remain closed in the NCR districts from November 4 to November 10. However, the industries using natural gas as fuel can continue to operate, it stated."There should be no tolerance for visibly polluting vehicles. This will require stringent monitoring and on-spot fines," it said.It has sought intensification of patrol including in the night in industrial areas and other 'hot spots' in cities so that there is complete control on waste burning as well as industrial emissions. The government has also asked the districts to raise awareness among the public for the need to minimise their exposure to pollution and also advice people to reduce their travel using private vehicles as much as possible. It has also asked local administrations to publish list of penalties that have been imposed and actions taken against people or industries found polluting.

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  • The UP government letter also said that all industries using coal and biomass fuel (excluding thermal and waste to energy plants) should remain closed in the NCR districts from November 4 to November 10.   
  • Government has sought intensification of patrol including in the night in industrial areas