Delhi government announces ‘Winter Action Plan’ to curb air pollution

New Delhi: Delhi government on Friday announced 15 points “Winter Action Plan” to crub the Air Pollution in the National Capital, a head of festival seasion.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal released the plan  and said the government has identified 13 hotspots where pollution is high and we have a special action plan for each hotspot.

“The number of days witnessing severe pollution levels declined in the last eight years due to several initiatives of the government” he added.

Mr Kejriwal said,” A war room and 13 special teams have been made to keep pollution down in these hotspots”. 385 teams to check vehicles’ age, pollution certificate; 90 roads with heavy traffic identified, will publicise alternative routes” he said.

According to him, trees have increased by 23 percent in Delhi. “The city has the most green cover across India. There are trees planted years ago and we have made a plan of tree transportation. There is no thermal plant in Delhi currently,” he said.

The air quality in the national capital has slightly improved,” said Kejriwal while unveiling the plan. According to Kejriwal,  PM 2.5 level used to be 149 in 2014 and now it is 103. “In 2014, PM 10 used to be 324 and now it is 223. 

“There is a 30 percent reduction in pollution levels,” Kejriwal said.

“There were two thermal power plants in Delhi, both of them have been shut now. Heavy fines are being imposed over those responsible for dust pollution. Industrial units in Delhi earlier used polluting fuel but now they have been shifted to piped natural gas (PNG)” he said.

As per the action plane the government will deploy 530 water sprinklers to prevent dust pollution and 385 teams will check vehicles’ pollution certificates and prevent the plying of overage cars.

Kejriwal said burning garbage in the open is banned in Delhi and 611 teams will monitor its implementation. He also urged people to download the Green Delhi mobile application and report any pollution-causing activity to the government.

On stubble burning, Delhi CM said,”In Punjab The data from last year shows the steps taken in 6-7 months led to a 30% reduction in stubble burning”.