Delhi unveils 21-Point Winter Action Plan to combat air pollution

New Delhi: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday declared the “Winter Action Plan” to combat air pollution in the national capital. The theme of this year is ‘Milkar Chalein aur Pradushan se Ladein’ (Let’s work together to fight pollution). Last year the Delhi government created a 14-point ‘Winter Action Plan’, but this year the government doesn’t want to take any risk and made a 21-point plan.

Rai said that he urged the Union Environment Minister to give permission for the artificial rain between November 1 and November 15, when pollution is likely to surge after the Diwali celebrations and stubble burning. They are waiting for a response to the letter.

According to Rai, Delhi has seen a 34.6% reduction in air pollution from 2016 to 2023. He also mentioned that two crore trees have been planted in Delhi over the past four years, helping to lower pollution levels.

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The minister went on to say that drones’ help will be taken for real-time monitoring of pollution hotspots. A Special Task Force with 86 members has been created, where staff from different departments, including the environment ministry, transport ministry, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, and the Public Works Department, will monitor pollution levels in the city round the clock.

An anti-dust campaign will get underway on October 7 to decrease the dust pollution. A total of 85 machine sweepers for roads and 200 mobile anti-smog guns will be used in every assembly area of Delhi during winter.

Beside this, several teams will be created for checking pollution certificates of vehicles. A Green War Room is to be established to handle air pollution matters. Rai also said that a ban on crackers will be implemented once a gazette notification is issued.