The ambitious campaign of the Delhi government – Red Light On, Gadi Off – stuck in a war between the Delhi government and Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena over the issue of its positive result.
The Delhi government on Monday resent the file of the campaign to LG for reconsideration. Last week, LG sent back the file and refused to give his nod to the campaign.
The LG had said that the use of civil defence volunteers at extremely polluted traffic intersections was inhuman and exploitative.
He also said the drivers themselves are aware of the importance of switching off the engine at red lights. The campaign hardly had any effect or solution to the pollution problem.
On Sunday, Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai told The New Indian that this campaign helps a lot in reducing pollution. It helps in the reduction of 15 per cent of vehicular pollution in the city, he added.
Rai also said that they will again request the LG to give clearance for this campaign.
Earlier, Rai had blamed LG for intentionally not clearing the file of Red Light On, Gadi Off. He had said the LG, who is appointed by the BJP, does not want pollution to be controlled in the national capital.
Delhi government sources on Monday said such campaigns have given a fruitful result. Such campaigns ran in 40 cities in India and they yielded a positive result. Similar campaigns were also run in America and London, according to a government statement.
According to CRRI (Central for Road and Research Institute), only 20 per cent of people switched off their cars at red lights, whereas 80 per cent of people switched off their cars at red lights due to this campaign, the statement added.