New Delhi: To combat air pollution in Delhi, CM Arvind Kejriwal announced a 10-point “winter action plan” that focuses on dust control, using Pusa bio-decomposer, installing smog towers and checking waste burning and vehicular emissions.
He also urged neighbouring states to retrofit thermal power plants in NCR areas with new technology and ensure the use of CNG-operated vehicles and cleaner fuel in industries. He claimed the Centre and neighbouring states have not done anything to check stubble-burning.
Appealing to the governments to work together to clean the air, he said the Delhi government has formed 75 teams for inspection of construction sites to check dust pollution and there will also be special teams to monitor pollution hotspots in the
city.
Steps will also be taken to address the traffic jam on 64 identified roads to reduce vehicular pollution. The pollution under control (PUC) will be strictly followed with formation of 500 teams to check the vehicles, he said.
A total of 250 teams have been formed to enforce a ban on garbage burning in the city. Also, strengthening of green war rooms and a mass awareness campaign will be part of the winter action plan, Kejriwal said.
The chief minister said following in the footsteps of Delhi, the NCR areas should also ensure use of CNG-operated vehicles, use of clean fuel in thermal plants and other industries, hotspot monitoring and round-the-clock power supply to prevent use of diesel generators.
He said currently, air pollution is under control in Delhi but it will start rising with stubble burning in the neighbouring states in winters.
Delhi Govt also starts anti-dust campaign till October 29 , Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said the city government started an anti-dust campaign from October 7 to 29.
The minister also said the government will also launch a web portal for monitoring dust control norms.
Rai said 31 teams, including 17 of Delhi pollution control committee and 14 of green marshals, have been constituted. The Delhi Government had earlier issued 14-point guidelines for construction and demolition agencies to curb dust pollution. “The project proponents found violating the norms will be issued a show cause notice. Action will be taken against them if they fail to reply within two days,” Under the 14-point guidelines, construction sites should be covered from all sides using tin sheds. The sites measuring more than 20,000 square metres will have to deploy anti-smog guns. Vehicles carrying construction material should also be covered. There should be no collection of construction and demolition (C&D) waste on roadside. Besides grinding of stones will also not be allowed in the open, the guidelines stated.
