The Delhi Government on Thursday discussed key points of its Winter Action Plan to combat air pollution in the city that will be ready by September 30. Environment Minister Gopal Rai along with senior officials of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) discussed various points where Government agencies will focus to deal with winter pollution.
These ten points are: Stop stubble burning pollution; stop vehicular pollution; stop dust pollution; stop waste burning; identity hotspots; study Smog Towers; conduct dialogue with States; advance the War Room; upgrade the Green App and coordinate with the Centre and the Commission For Air Quality Management (CAQM).
After reviewing preparations for the Winter Action Plan, Rai said the city Government is preparing the plan to run an active campaign against pollution with public cooperation. “Will hold a review meeting with all departments concerned on September 14 and take suggestions on focus points set for the winter action plan and the plan will be prepared by September 30,” Rai added.
“The Delhi Government with the support of Delhiites is taking concrete steps to tackle the rising pollution levels. We have started preparations for the Winter Action Plan. A high-level review meeting was held today with officials of the Environment Department, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Development Department and Forest Department.
The principal focus of this meeting was to lay an outline for the Winter Action Plan. We drafted an outline keeping in mind the areas that require the prime focus of the Government,” Rai said.
“The problem of pollution is not limited to Delhi alone. Experts have ruled that this an airshed issue. However, administrators of our neighbouring States do not consider it to be a reason for pollution. The airshed of North India impacts pollution levels immensely. If there’s a bump in pollution levels in Ghaziabad, it will naturally impact Delhi as well. Similarly, if something happens in Haryana, Rajasthan or UP that too will impact Delhi. Thus a team will be put together which will hold discussions with the neighbouring States of Delhi and discuss solutions with them,” he added.
“The integrated pollution control war room will be upgraded to much higher standards to help monitor and implement solutions more efficiently,” “We can have dialogue and communication with other states.
But only the Central Government and the CAQM can monitor and implement solutions. Through them, we aim to collaborate with the other States and take on pollution with full force. In this view, our final point in the plan will be to coordinate with the Centre and the CAQM,” he added.