WATCH- Delhi’s 15-point action plan to combat air pollution launched; Details here

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday announced a 15-point action plan to fight air pollution in the nation’s capital in the winter season.

The winter action plan of the Delhi Government focussed on stubble management, dust pollution, vehicular emission, burning of garbage in the open, industrial pollution, pollution hotspots, smog towers, public participation, and firecrackers, that have been banned in Delhi.

“Winter is about to set in and the level of pollution goes up in Delhi during the season. Keeping this view, the government has made up a plan and made elaborate arrangements after holding meetings with different agencies,” said CM Kejriwal.

1. Bio decomposer to prevent stubble burning: “The bio-decomposer solution prepared by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (PUSA institute) is provided to the farmers free of cost. The solution when sprayed on the paddy stubble decomposes it and farmers are not required to burn it. We have been distributing the solution for the last two-three years and we have achieved good results. Last year, the bio-decomposer solution was sprayed on 4,000 acres of land while this year, we have targeted to spray it on 5,000 acres of land. We will try that the farmers in Delhi do not resort to stubble burning anymore,” said the CM.

2. Active monitoring of dust pollution level: To fight dust pollution, an anti-dust campaign will start on October 6. Active monitoring of dust levels will be done by 586 teams. "The construction sites having more than 5,000 square feet area, will have to mandatorily register on the government website and real-time dust pollution monitoring will be done there. Installation of anti-smog guns is now mandatory for these construction sites. We have installed a total of 233 anti-smog guns in the city,” said Kejriwal. Besides, to tackle dust pollution on road, 80 road sweeping machines and 521 machines to spray water ad 150 mobile anti-smog guns have been engaged.

3. Strict enforcement to prevent vehicular pollution: To fight vehicular pollution, at least 380 teams have been formed to ensure strict enforcement of the PUC (Pollution Under Control Certificate) policy. “There are around 203 roads which are often congested have been identified. We have opened alternate routes to prevent congestion on these stretches,” said the CM.

4. Garbage burring in open prohibited: “The burning of garbage in open spaces has been prohibited in Delhi. A total of 611 teams have been formed to ensure its implemented,” stated Kejriwal.

5. Industrial units to strictly use piped natural gas: "The industrial units in Delhi are using piped natural gas. 33 teams have been formed to enforce this strictly," said the CM.

6. Ban of firecrackers: Continue the ban on the use of firecrackers, the Delhi government this year too has prohibited the production, storage, sale, and purchase of crackers. “Around 210 teams have been formed to ensure this is implemented,” the CM stressed.

7. Study to identify the source of real-time pollution: The real-time source appointment study with IIT Kanpur, data is being collected to understand the real-time effect of various pollution sources like vehicles, dust, stubble burning, etc. “A super site has been formed for this and a mobile van with special equipment has been engaged with will start giving data from October 20. The data will help in identifying the source of pollution,” the CM said.

8. Paryavaran Mitras: ‘Paryavan Mitras’ have been inducted to raise awareness about the pollution among the residents in Delhi. “Around 3,500 people have been voluntarily registered for ‘Paryavan Mitras’. Anyone can become Paryavaran Mitra by just giving a missed call on the number- 8448441758,” appealed Kejriwal.

9. Electronic waste management: An e-waste park is being developed to dispose electronic waste. “Electronic wastes are very hazardous and in order to manage it, a 20 acre-park is being constructed to dispose the e-wastes where it will be processed scientifically,” said the CM.

10. Increase in green cover: To increase the green cover in the capital city, the government had aimed to plant 42 lakh trees this year. We have already planted 33 lakh in the first phase while the remaining 8 lakh tree will be panted in the second phase from October 15.

11. 24X7 operational green war room: A 24X7 operational green war room is being made which would be functional from October 3. “A nine member expert team would be in the green war room who will constantly analysis the environment and give a plan for next day,” informed the CM.

12. Share feedback on green Delhi app: “The Green Delhi app developed about two years ago is a huge success and we have registered 53,000 complaints so far through the application. (0 percent of the complaints were addressed.I would appeal the people of Delhi to continue sharing feedback on the app," the chief minister said.

13. Vigil on identified pollution hotspots: As many as 13 pollution hotspots have been identified in Delhi where strict supervision would be carried out.

14. Graded Response Action Plan: A revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) would be implemented in Delhi like previous years. Under the revised GRAP, curbs can be imposed on polluting activities up to three days in advance based on forecasts.

15) CM appeals for joint efforts to tackle pollution: “We want to work together with Centre, neighbouring towns, and Commission for Air Quality Management to curb pollution levels,” said the CM. Kejriwal also urged the neighbouring states to ensure the vehicles coming to Delhi from outside are CNG and curb the use of diesel generators and adopt zigzag technique in brick kilns among others.