To check air pollution in the national Capital, the Delhi Government has directed its officials to crack down on open burning of garbage, plastics and leaves. The Government has made available a DPCC WhatsApp helpline number — 9717593574 — on which complaints about the burning of garbage, waste material and leaves can be sent. Deputy Commissioners of all the districts have been asked to ensure that Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) carry out regular inspections and surprise checks.
“Environment Minister Asim Ahmed Khan informed Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia about this decision in a meeting to review the measures taken so far to check the growing air pollution in the national Capital,” a statement said. The Environment Depart-ment has issued a series of directions to the Deputy Commissioners, top officials of the three Municipal Corporations of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Council, PWD, CPWD, DDA, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and Delhi Parks and Garden Society.
The officials have been directed to designate nodal officers, who will check such burnings in their respective areas on a regular basis and take necessary action against the violators. It said that inspection teams constituted by the DPCC have so far inspected 207 locations across the national Capital and inputs about sensitive locations have already been forwarded to the respective MCDs and Delhi Police to detect and prevent such burnings.
“Public complaints against the burning of garbage, waste material and leaves, can be sent on DPCC WhatsApp helpline number 9717593574. Facebook users can also connect on the page titled — Delhi Pollution Control Committee,” it added. According to Government officials, the Environment Department was also finalising a series of strict measures against defaulters, including imposition of a hefty fine. As part of the campaign, the department has further directed the concerned agencies to put up hoardings near all parks displaying helpline numbers and highlighting the harmful effects of open burnings.