Delhi CM Kejriwal’s 10-point winter action plan to fight pollution

With the festival season and winter around the corner, air pollution concerns are back to haunt the national capital

Every year around this time of the year, there is severe deterioration of air quality due to a number of factors, including bursting firecrackers and stubble burning by the farmers in nearby states.

The resulting smog severely impacts the health of the residents already threatened by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday released a 10-point winter action plan for the national capital to combat air pollution in Delhi.

Also watch: Live in India? Say bye to 5.9 years of your life thanks to air pollution

Here are the 10 steps listed by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to check the pollution level in Delhi during winters:

1. Stubble burning: Kejiwal said a decomposer has been prepared with the help of Pusa Institute, explaining that when it is sprayed on the crop residue will eliminate the need to burn it. He added that Delhi, Punjab and other states too can do the same.

2. Anti-dust campaign to be strengthened: The government has formed 75 teams that will survey the entire national capital and impose heavy penalties on those who are found violating the dust pollution norms.

3. Stopping the burning of garbage: 250 teams have been formed to ensure garbage burning doesn’t take place in the capital

4. Ban on firecrackers: The AAP government has banned the sale, storage and buying of crackers in Delhi till January 1.

5. Installation of smog towers: Kejriwal is satisfied with the towers. He said the performance and the result will be analysed before taking a call to install more such structures.

6. Monitoring of pollution hotspots using app: Kejriwal also stressed the importance of monitoring pollution with the help of an app

7. Green War Rooms are being strengthened: Kejriwal said that the Delhi government has hired 50 environment engineers.

8. Monitoring the Green Delhi app: Delhi CM also encouraged the public to use the app and lodge complaints of any violation

9. Eco waste park: Kejriwal said this is the first such park being constructed in the country, adding twenty acres of land has been allotted for the project.

10. Vehicular pollution: The AAP chief said that steps are being taken to minimise traffic jams to reduce the emissions caused by cars and other vehicles. 64 congestion points have been identified across Delhi and steps will be taken to control traffic and resultant pollution here.