Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday announced a 15-point action plan to curb air pollution ahead of the winter in the national Capital. The plan includes checks on garbage burning, closure of thermal power plants, and minimising dust and vehicular emission.
The Delhi Government will launch an anti-dust campaign from October 6, distribution of bio decomposers, and will set up 380 teams to impose a crackers’ ban.
“The winter is set to arrive. When winter arrives, we often witness a rise in pollution. All the preparations have been done to fight pollution. Over 20 million people of Delhi and our Government have worked very hard to curb air pollution in Delhi over the last several years. As a result, the pollution in the city has reduced significantly in 2021-22 as
compared to 2017-18,” Kejriwal said.
The Chief Minister said certain steps by the Government, including the introduction of an electric vehicle policy in 2020, 24-hour electricity supply, closure of thermal power plants, curbs on dust pollution and induction of electric and CNG buses had reduced pollution levels. He added the city Government received significant help from the Centre, which built peripheral express highways to ensure that a large number of trucks no longer needed to enter Delhi to travel further.
Delhi Government will spray bio decomposer for free to tackle stubble, said the CM.
“The coverage area will be increased from 4,000 acres to 5,000 acres this year. The anti-dust campaign will begin from October 6 and 586 teams have been formed for regular inspection of construction sites to ensure compliance,” said Kejriwal.
“Ban on production, storage, distribution and purchase of firecrackers to continue this year as well and 210 teams have been formed for surveillance,” said the chief minister.
“The construction sites above 500 square metres need to mandatorily register themselves on Delhi Government’s C&D portal and it is mandatory for construction sites above 5000 sq mtrs to have anti-smog guns,” he said.
“A total of 233 smog guns will be installed across the city and Delhi Government will deploy 80 road sweeping and 521 water sprinkling machines to curb pollution emerging from roads,” said Kehriwal.
“A total 150 mobile anti-smog guns will move around the city and as city has 203 busy roads with heavy traffic, the Government has prepared alternative routes to divert traffic from such roads,” said Kejriwal adding that the Government has formed 611 teams to penalise open-burning of garbage.
“The Delhi Government’s source apportionment system will start providing data from October 20 after sources of pollution at any location in the national Capital can be tracked in real time,” said Kejriwal adding that this will help in dealing with air pollution.
“In winter action plan, 3500 Paryavaran Mitras will raise awareness about environment protection,” said the Chief Minister while urging people to become Paryavaran Mitras by giving a missed call on 8448441758.
Giving more details, the Chief Minister said that a 20-acre E-waste Park is being developed in Holambi Kalan where e-waste will be processed scientifically.
“A Green War Room will be operational from October 3 and it will comprise nine experts who will analyse data and prepare the future course of action. 13 hotspots across Delhi will be put under strict surveillance. We will implement GRAP meticulously and coordinate with Central Government and NCR States to tighten the noose on pollution,” he said.
“I am requesting Delhiites to download “Green Delhi” App to register complaints against garbage burning or vehicle pollution. We will take immediate action and resolve the problem,” said Kejriwal.
Further talking about the Delhi Government’s approach this year, the CM said he had appealed to the neighbouring States to only allow CNG or electric vehicles to enter into Delhi.
“They should direct industries to switch to PNG and provide 24x7 electricity in NCR. Delhi Government’s tireless efforts have started bearing fruits. PM 10 levels in 2021-22 down by 18.6 per cent from 2017-18 levels,” said Kejriwal.
“We have reduced pollution by supplying electricity 24x7, shutting down thermal plants, inspecting construction sites regularly, getting industries to switch to PNG, increasing green cover, bringing EV policy, adding electric and CNG buses to public transport fleet and developing smog towers. I am fully optimistic that we will win the fight against pollution with the cooperation of the people of Delhi,” said Kejriwal.