To tackle the notorious winter pollution, the Delhi government on Monday launched an “Advanced Green War Room” for 24×7 monitoring and robust implementation of the Winter Action Plan in the national capital.
The new Advanced Green War Room is a part of Arvind Kejriwal-led government’s 15 point winter action plan to battle the pollution. Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal last week had announced the measures which the government will undertake.
On Monday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai kicked off proceedings at Delhigovernment’s new anti-pollution war room.
Stressing on public participation in the fight against pollution, Rai said: “A 12-member team consisting of experts, scientists and engineers have been appointed to look after the Green War Room. We are closely monitoring the air quality and stubble situation in and around Delhi. The War Room will give up-to-the-minute updates and information about our campaign.”
He further said because of Delhi government’s efforts to curb pollution in the last 10 years, PM 10 levels fell by 40% and PM 2.5 by 31% despite increasing population. Rai also informed that Green Delhi App received a total of 54,156 complaints and 90 per cent of them have been resolved till date.
Environmental Scientist Dr BMS Reddy has been appointed as the in-charge of the war room. Environmental Engineer NK Joshi remains the assistant in-charge of the war room, while scientist Dr Nandita Moitra will be on the monitoring desk. Besides them, nine members will work on the complaints received from the Green Delhi App and ensure effective implementation of measures. They will also assist the three senior members along with streamlining co-ordination among different departments.
Rai also stated that last year at the peak of pollution, the Centre for Science and Environment had analysed the sources of pollution in Delhi. “According to the report, internal sources – those within Delhi – amounted to 31 per cent of pollution. Whereas, external sources – those within surrounding states – contribute 69 per cent of it. That’s the reason Advanced Green War Room has been asked to be on its toes,” he concluded.