Delhi govt chalks out 21-point Winter Action Plan to combat pollution

The Winter Action Plan includes real-time monitoring of hotspots through drones, formation of a special task force, control of dust pollution, operation of mobile anti-smog guns, control of vehicular pollution, open waste burning, stubble burning, industrial pollution, green war room and use of green Delhi app, real-time source apportionment study, an e-waste eco-park, increasing green area or plantation, public participation, a ban on firecrackers, dialogue with Central Government and neighbouring states, implementation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), implementation of the Hari Ratna Award, work from home, voluntary vehicle restriction, preparation for odd-even scheme, and artificial rain.

The minister said the special task force will have six members, including officials from the Environment, Transport, Revenue, Traffic Police, MCD, and PWD departments. The task force will be responsible for monitoring the pollution situation in the national capital.

Rai added, “All construction sites over 500 square metre should complete the mandatory registration through the appropriate portal. The training of workers at all construction sites to sensitize them on pollution norms is also required.”

Water sprinklers, anti-smog guns and road-sweeping machines

While talking about curbing dust pollution, Rai also stated, “For November and December, when the pollution is usually at its peak, we have decided to increase water sprinkling by three times. Earlier, it used to be done only once. This time, to reduce pollution even during the evenings, water will be sprinkled three times.”

As many as 85 road-sweeping machines, 500 water sprinklers and 200 mobile anti-smog guns will be put to use. An anti-dust campaign will begin on October 7, the minister added.

Calling it a “unique” move, the Minister pointed out the plan to honour those who have contributed to the cause of combating air pollution in a significant manner with the Hari Ratna Awards to yield a positive encouragement. He said the award is open to individuals or agencies, in both private and government sectors.

Invoking the theme of this year’s winter action plan, ‘Mil kar chale pradhushan se ladein’ (united we shall fight pollution), Rai highlighted the importance of public participation which is also one of the points in the plan.

Public awareness and dialogue with states

“An e-vehicle parade, anti-pollution march, ‘Red light on, gaadi-off’ practice as part of the (Jan-Jagrukta Abhiyan) campaigns are among the measures to be taken to raise awareness among the public,” Rai said.

In the context of stubble burning cases being reported already this year, the minister said a meeting with ministers of neighbouring states will be held to resolve this. Apart from this, decomposer solutions will be sprayed to curb the menace.

In last year’s 14-point Winter Action Plan, the bio-decomposer spraying target was meant for 5,000 acre of land and 83.8 per cent of this was covered, an official source said.