The Union Environment Ministry and Delhi Government on Saturday joined hands to intensify their efforts to make the national Capital green and clean by launching a 15-day campaign. As many as 70 teams will fan out across the city to create awareness against pollution and slap fines on polluters.
Union Minister for Environment Dr Harsh Vardhan said that the Centre was “committed to mitigation of pollution”, while Delhi Chief Minister underlined the need for “round-the-year study on the sources of pollution.”
Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Dr Harsh Vardhan ,who also heads the Union Science and Technology Ministry, pointed out to the need to use science and technology to combat pollution.
“We must take the example of this Campaign of Delhi to the entire nation. People must realise their green social responsibility and I hope that children present at the gathering and elsewhere will become “Green Sainiks” in the fight against pollution,” he added.
Kejriwal called for a study to be conducted round-the-year on various sources of pollution. “There is need to analyse pollution in a scientific manner, as no solution can be found on a piecemeal basis. I hope that all concerned Ministries of Central Government and Delhi Government will join hands to form a blueprint for mitigation of pollution,” he added.
The teams will fan out to every administrative division of the Capital, monitor causes of pollution and initiate remedial measures, including penal actions against serious polluters on the spot, said a senior official from the Ministry.
Delhi generates 131 tonnes of dust every day, and controlling it itself would bring down air pollution drastically, as large-scale construction in Delhi-NCR is one of the major causes for increasing dust and pollution in the air, the official pointed out.
The Centre has recently notified dust mitigation norms to contain dust pollution. The campaign will also include enforcement of pollution-control measures for vehicles, driving discipline, inspection of power plants in Delhi to ensure, it complies with the norms on pollution, etc.