Delhi has become the first State Capital to have 95 per cent CNG powered industry and to make the national Capital wholly pollution free, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has joined hands with Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF &CC).
As per the official database on industrial pollution, the Government claimed that there were 1,542 polluting industries in Delhi, of which 1,457 industries have been converted into CNG-powered industries so far while remaining 85 industries will be converted into CNG- adaptive.
Notably, as per TERI report on industrial pollution, in summer season, 22 per cent pollution contributed by industries and in winter season 30 per cent pollution contributed.
"It is through the strategic proposition and determined steps, that 95per cent of the oil-driven industry have shifted its operations to CNG operated systems. The information regarding a large and substantial shift in the industry has been gathered by a report submitted by the Delhi Dialogue Commission to the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal," Government statement quoted.
It is important to mention here that the ban on chemical usage in June 2018. "With the efforts of the Delhi Government, air pollution in Delhi has decreased by 25 percent in the last three years. Delhi is the only State in the country where the reduction in air pollution has been recorded. CNG-based industry driven by polluted chemicals also helped in reducing air pollution," Kejriwal said.
Citing TERI's figure on industrial pollution, Environment Minister Kailash Gehlot also said that various figures showed that pollution from the industries has also contributed significantly to Delhi's air pollution.
Various studies by the Department of Health have revealed that workers in the coal-based industries suffer from a variety of diseases. They majorly suffer from lung and skin diseases.
The operation of CNG based industry has changed the standard of living of thousands of workers. Worker Daya Shankar says that there were many issues working in the coal-based industry, and now working in the CNG-based industry is a relief. Ram Ratan, a labourer, says that earlier workers had respiratory issues. Perhaps, CNG-based industry is not facing these problems.
Earlier, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) had also announced compensation for conversion of polluted chemical-powered industry to CNG in FY 2017-18. Under the scheme, a compensation of 50,000 rupees was given to medium and small industries and one lakh rupees to big industries.
