Journalism of Courage
An organisation like Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, elimination of DG sets and installation of air purifiers at public places are among NITI Aayog’s recommendations to curb air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
As per sources, the report, ‘Strategy To Curb Air Pollution in Delhi NCR’, prepared by NITI Aayog with help of international experts, was shared with the departments concerned of the Centre and states. It states: “Pollution level in the city is 20 times higher than WHO recommended levels. Consequences of air pollution are now beginning to affect city’s inhabitants in a very serious way.”
Recommending a Special Purpose Vehicle along the lines of the DMRC to curb pollution, it said, “The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change can create an SPV to implement the present strategy to curb air pollution in Delhi under Section 8 of Companies Act, 2013….”
The report also said urban local bodies must procure “best quality air purifiers and install them at bus and railways stations, airports, major markets and other public spaces”.
Suggesting elimination of DG sets, the report said users should be encouraged to adopt cleaner alternatives such as gas-powered generators — which use natural gas as a fuel source. On the need for a sustainable inflow of sufficient funds, it suggested a dedicated endowment fund.
The report recommended focus on four areas: dust from roads, soil and construction; biomass; transportation; municipal solid waste. It has advocated an action plan, with realistic targets and timelines, to deal with the problem. To control dust, it suggested using water and fog cannons.
