Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday said that the Government will focus on the 21-point Winter Action Plan, as pollution levels in the city peak during the cold months.

In a press conference, Rai said, “Like last year, the government is committed to addressing pollution, especially during the winter months when it peaks. This time, we will focus on new measures as part of the 21-point Winter Action Plan.”

The 2024 Winter Action Plan will focus on different issues including hotspots, vehicle and dust pollution, work from home, stubble and garbage burning, industrial pollution, upgrading the war room and green app, dialogue with the central government and neighboring states, and preparation for odd-even and artificial rain as emergency measures.

“For the first time, drone monitoring will be done to reduce pollution at 13 hotspots. Also, a special task force will be formed. The departments concerned have been instructed to submit their action plan on the winter action plan by September 12,” Rai said.

A joint meeting was held with 35 key departments, including the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Delhi Police, Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), Public Works Department (PWD), and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), among others. During the meeting, the officials discussed strategies to implement a more robust plan this year, Rai said.           

He added that the Environment Department, DPCC, MCD, Delhi Traffic Police, DDA and DSIIDC have been appointed as nodal agencies to do the monitoring work on hot spots.

 “In preparation for the upcoming winter, the government has begun working on an enhanced version of its winter action plan. Last year, the government implemented a comprehensive 15-point action plan to reduce pollution,” the minister said, adding that ever since the Kejriwal government came into power, there has been a noticeable reduction in pollution levels across the capital.