The AAP government here has approved the reinstatement of 10,000 Civil Defence Volunteers and Bus Marshals  in Delhi. These volunteers and marshals will be deployed within a week to join the fight against pollution.

Blaming the BJP and officers controlled by it for hardships of out-of-job bus marshals, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Saturday sharing details saying the AAP government has approved a proposal to re-engage 10,000 Civil Defence Volunteers (CDVs) and Bus Marshals as pollution sentinels. Atishi added, “Bus marshals will be crucial in monitoring pollution hotspots, preventing open burning, and following up on complaints.”

Their responsibilities will include monitoring pollution control centres and hotspots, preventing open burning, managing construction waste to curb dust, stopping the illegal use of diesel generators, and following up on complaints received on the Green Delhi app. While sending the file for approval to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, the Chief Minister hit out at the BJP for allegedly forcing the bus marshals out of work in October 2023 and compromising women’s security in public transport buses by abruptly ending the marshals’ engagement.

The political blame game erupted last month after the LG slammed the unnecessary politicisation of the matter by AAP leaders and wrote to CM Atishi to send a proposal for re-engagement of the CDVs. “Unfortunately no concrete proposal has been sent to me by the government,” he wrote in the letter addressed to the CM. Seeking immediate intervention from the CM on the matter, the LG said she should direct officials to draft a proposal to be sent to Raj Niwas for CDVs long-term engagement. After LG’s intervention, Delhi BJP picked it up and staged protests across the city, accusing the Kejriwal government for dismissal of CDVs.

Reacting to Atishi’s decision, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said that under pressure from BJP leaders, the AAP government has been forced to  order the reinstatement on duty starting from November 11.

Addressing a press conference, Atishi said for the next four months, bus marshals and civil defence volunteers will contribute to the fight against pollution. “Call-out notices for the marshals will be issued from Monday, and they can proceed to register at different DM offices. Deployment for pollution control efforts will follow within 2-3 days of registration,” she explained.

Atishi stated, “The appointment process for bus marshals will start on Monday, and the Delhi Government will soon send a proposal for their permanent appointment to the Lieutenant Governor. No matter how many plots the BJP devises, under the guidance of Arvind Kejriwal, we will resolve every problem faced by the people of Delhi.”

She highlighted that in 2017-18, the Delhi Government deployed bus marshals to enhance women’s safety in buses, ensuring protection for women, children, and the elderly travelling on DTC buses. “Every stalled project will be completed in the same manner,” Atishi said.