Environment Minister Shri Gopal Rai said, “Due to the decreasing temperature and slowing down of winds, the AQI in Delhi has reached above 300. Keeping that in mind, CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) instructed to implement the GRAP stage 2 (Graded Response Action Plan). 28 Departments are working together against pollution in Delhi, to ensure strict implementation of GRAP 2.
Shri Gopal Rai mentioned that orders have been given to Delhi Metro to increase the frequency of trains on routes with heavier crowds. The stations with a train interval of 7- 8 minutes should be reduced to 5-6 minutes, and where the interval is 5-6 minutes, it should be reduced to 2-3 minutes. Additionally, the DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation) has been instructed to deploy as many buses as possible on the roads and initiate the process of upgrading private buses. This is to enhance public transportation services.
He added, “CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal announced the Winter Action Plan with these departments. A lot of work is being done according to the plan. However, the implementation of GRAP 2 was announced looking at the degrading Air Quality in Delhi. In our meeting with the Departments, many crucial Decisions have been made today. The first major decision is the identification of 13 major pollution hotspots in Delhi. These 13 places have worse Air quality than an average Delhi neighborhood. Apart from these, 8 other areas have been identified which had AQI above 300 today due to local factors.”
Minister Shri Gopal Rai revealed that these areas are Shadipur, ITO, Patparganj, Mandir Marg, Nehru Nagar, Sonia Vihar, Dhyan Chand Stadium, and Moti Bagh. “Nodal MCD DCs have been instructed to disperse special teams in these areas to inspect local sources jointly with DPCC. They will focus on the sources of pollution whether it be BioMass burning, Dust, Congestion, or Cars.
You must remember we announced a separate Winter Plan for the 13 hotspot areas. Now these 8 areas are also identified in special categories along with the 13 areas. Special teams will be deployed for close monitoring of these areas.”
The Environment Minister stated, “The DCs are directed to do field visits on the 25th in the hotspot areas. They will accelerate the measures taken to counter Pollution in those areas. Delhi roads were being sprinkled with water so far, sometimes with anti-smog guns. So the third decision is, from now on, dust suppressant powder will be mixed with water for sprinkling. It will keep dust stuck to the ground for a longer period. Along with this, the already-in-action Anti Dust Campaign will be followed scrupulously from the 25th. Ensuring field visits are mandatory for all teams. And they are instructed to accelerate activities under the Anti Dust campaign.”
Shri Gopal Rai said that “apart from this, a special eye will be kept on DG Sets (Diesel Generators) to ensure that regulations are being followed. Strict Action will be taken against those not following the rules. Some services are exempt from these prohibitions and proceedings for now. It includes Railways, Railway stations, Hospitals, Companies manufacturing life aid products and medicine, Metro and Metro Stations, Airports, Inter State Bus Terminals, Sewage Treatment Plants, Water Pumping Stations, Projects for National Security, Telecommunications, Data Services, and other related necessary institutions. They have this permission till the end of this year, according to CAQM’s direction. After that, they will also have to follow the rules.”
He added, “91 congestion points of Traffic Jams were earlier identified by the Traffic Police. Today, Traffic Police have been instructed to gather a special team. They shall initiate ground fielding. They are directed to monitor it closely and submit a report to the Environment Department. So that the situation of Traffic Jams can be solved in a monitored way.”
The Environment Minister stated, “We also decided to increase the frequency of Metro and DTC Buses under the regulation of GRAP. DMRC has been directed that where the frequency is 7-8 minutes, reduce it to 5-6 minutes. And where it is 5-6 minutes, which implies there is a lot of crowd that’s why it is less, further reduce it to 2-3 minutes. So that more and more people can enjoy public transport. DTC is also instructed to increase the frequency of the buses already in operation and get more buses on the road. Along with this, the acquisition of private buses must begin to start environmental bus service. So that use of public transport can be promoted.”
He added, “Delhi air quality in the winter months had been deteriorating in the past. As we suspected, the air quality in the next 20-25 days in Delhi can turn bad. In today’s meeting, secretaries of all the departments were called, but we noted that the secretaries, who are heads of their respective departments, Pollution is not the primary issue for them yet. Not even one secretary joined today’s meeting. And representatives from many departments came, who did not know anything about GRAP 2 preparations in their respective departments yet. So I request all the secretaries, heads of distinct departments, that this month is the most crucial to work in the war zone, on the field. I say this to the Chief Secretary as well to ensure all secretaries on this. It is quite hard to implement anything in any department until senior officers are in Action mode. Since today is the first time that Air Quality soared above 300, we hope that all officers have become attentive, along with their departments. And I feel we will follow implementation more seriously.”
Environment Minister Shri Gopal Rai appealed to Delhiites, “It doesn’t count what the Delhi Government does if people don’t come to the front if they are not prepared. This year the Pollution levels have stayed record low. In 2015, there were only 109 days out of 365 when air quality was good enough. Last year we had 163 days of good air with the Kejriwal government in power and the support of the people; we are happy that this year Delhiites have already had 200+ days of good air quality. But this month is quite challenging. We all have to be vigilant, we all have to be cooperative in this. The data says, more cases of pollution come from two-wheelers. I request all Delhiites to get your UC Certificate. You all have to take part in this. Please turn off your engine on Red Lights if you do not already. Small reasons contribute to an increment in pollution and small reasons can contribute to its reduction. I want your names to be written in an environment-friendly list. I feel if we all try together, we can dodge the problems we have had in previous years. Together, we all can do this.”
