To effectively tackle air pollution during winters, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday announced a 15-point plan to fight air pollution ahead of winters which will be implemented from next week.
The Delhi CM, while holding a digital press conference, said in comparison to 2017-18, Delhi has witnessed a decrease in pollution level. He underlined the measures undertaken by the Delhi govt which have resulted in the decrease in the pollution.
“Winter is set to arrive. And we often see that the pollution rises when the winter sets in. The two-crore plus population and our government has worked very hard to reduce the air pollution in Delhi over the last several years. As a result, a report by the NCAP (National Clean Air Programme) highlights that the pollution in the city has reduced significantly in 2021-22 as compared to four years ago,” he said.
Highlighting that stubble burning is one of the major reasons behind pollution, he stated, “Bio decomposer manufactured by the Pusa Institute will be sprayed on stubble in the farms lands of the national capital. Last year too, it was used but this time it will be used on 5 thousand acre of agricultural land in Delhi. This time, we would try that no farmer would have to burn the stubble.”
However, Kejriwal did not clarify whether this decomposer will be used in Punjab, where his party AAP is at the helm, as majority of stubble burning takes place in this state. Before storming to power in Punjab, he used to criticise the Punjab government for failing to restrict stubble burning in the state.
He further said an anti-dust campaign will be launched from October 5. A total of 586 teams will be deployed to inspect the sites. With this, 233 anti-smog gun, 80 road sweeping machines and 150 mobile anti-smog guns will also be installed in the city.
Talking about vehicular pollution, Kejriwal announced that the pollution under control (PUC) certificate for the vehicles will be mandatory. At least 380 teams will be deployed for checking vehicles and challans will be issued if anyone is found without these certificates.
The Delhi CM also stressed that the ban on crackers will continue like every year. Production and purchase of crackers will be restricted and over 200 teams would oversee this.
To get a grasp on pollution data and likely causes, the Delhi govt will work with the IIT-Kanpur. A super site to check the pollution level in the air is being set up near Rouse Avenue. A mobile van, which will detect the air quality, will also be deployed from October 20.
On electronic waste, Kejriwal said an e-waste park, spread across 20 acres, is being made which will help in decomposing the waste through biotechnology method.
The Delhi govt also has a plan to increase green cover by planting 42 lakh trees. “A nine member team has been constituted which will sit in the Green War room to keep a watch on air quality for 24 hours. This team will include scientific experts,” he announced.
Kejriwal revealed the Green Delhi App, which was launched by the Delhi government last year, has received 53 thousand complaints so far and 90 per cent of them have been solved.
Delhi government has identified 13 hotspots in the city where pollution levels remain inordinately high. These areas will be under strict supervision.
Kejriwal also requested commuters from neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to make sure most vehicles coming from outside are CNG vehicles. He also urged people to use public transport as much as possible.
Kejriwal Announces 15-Point Plan To Combat Pollution Ahead Of Winters
