Patna: Only e-rickshaws will ply on some routes of the city instead of auto-rickshaws as part of an umbrella plan to curb air pollution.

Divisional commissioner Anand Kishor on Tuesday said this while issuing a series of directions to officials towards improving air quality of the city.

The step comes after a WHO report identified Patna as one of the 14 cities worst affected by air pollution.

Kishor formed a committee headed by the district magistrate which will identify routes on which only e-rickshaws will be allowed to ply. The committee has to submit its report within 15 days and permits will be revised accordingly, he said.

Kishor asked officials to create no-stoppage zones for autos which would prevent traffic jams.

Kishor also said action would be taken against houses and apartments running noisy generators which emit more than the permissible carbon monoxide.

Kishor asked the circle officers of Maner, Patna City, Danapur and other areas to seal 17 brick manufacturing units which are not running in accordance with air pollution rules and lodge FIRs against their owners. He said the state pollution control board had issued notices to 61 brick manufacturing units and asked them to rectify their set-up.

"If they have not complied with the order, close them down," the commissioner added. According to the order, an advisory has been issued to the units to use 25 per cent of the fly ash.

Kishor said a drive would be launched on May 23 for 15 days to examine the fitness and pollution level of commercial vehicles which are more than 15 years old. "If any vehicle does not conduct these tests, their permits will be suspended. If vehicles fail in these tests, their permits will be cancelled," he said.

The commissioner stated that while use of silent generators was permissible, use of noisy old ones was illegal. Kishor said that from June 1, a drive will be launched against those who are using such generators and FIRs would be filed against the owners.

The commissioner also directed the district forest officer to identify places like schools and hospitals within one week where 10,000 trees can be planted. Kishor said the process of tree plantation should start by July 15. He issued directions for plantation of 2,000 trees at various ghats.