Taking to the streets to take stock of the situation on the ground, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Monday issued directions to combat dust-related pollution in the capital. Covering the Red Fort, Rajghat, ITO, the Pragati Power Plant, IP Estate, the Millennium Park near Sarai Kale Khan on Ring Road mostly on foot, Saxena inspected pavements, footpaths, central verges and the yards of the Power Plant and the Millennium Bus Depot, dust pollution from where is understood to lead to higher PM 2.5/10 levels. According to L-G House officials, Saxena found that the pavements and footpaths on the route were covered with thick layers of dust and loose silt at several spots flying off with passing vehicles, causing even more pollution. “Taking a strict note of this, the L-G directed the officials concerned to immediately clear the pavements and streets. He also inspected ongoing work of dust mitigation by mechanical road sweepers, which, however, were found to be causing more pollution as they were not followed by a water sprinkler as they should have been,” an official said. “He also took stock of mobile anti-smog guns and instructed accompanying officials of the Public Works Department, Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Delhi Development Authority, among others, to immediately ensure covering of the footpaths and ensuring remedial measures to keep the yards of the Power Plant and the bus depot dust-free,” the official added. Saxena, according to officials, directed the transport department and Delhi Police to strictly ensure that vehicles prohibited under GRAP IV were not allowed on roads as well as to maintain strict enforcement on border points to check the entry of polluting vehicles entering Delhi from other states. The L-G appealed to the people to take all pollution-mitigating measures—particularly making optimum use of public transport—and to avoid unnecessarily using private vehicles for short distances as well as carrying out any sort of construction or demolition activities.
