Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal announced a 15-point Winter Action Plan on Friday to control air pollution in Delhi during the winter season. The Delhi government will implement it rigorously to protect Delhiites from pollution issues during the winter season.
CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal stated that due to the efforts of Delhi residents in recent years, there has been a reduction of approximately 30% in pollution levels. Delhi is once again prepared for this battle against pollution, and the Delhi government has devised a Winter Action Plan. Under this plan, specific action plans have been formulated for 13 identified hotspots in Delhi. This year, over 5,000 acres of farmland in Delhi will receive free distribution of bio-decomposer. There will be strict monitoring of construction sites, the use of anti-dust machines, and efforts to reduce vehicular pollution. Additionally, there will be a ban on open waste burning. If pollution levels rise, the Graded Response will be implemented rigorously, and collaborative efforts with neighboring states will continue. During the Press Conference Delhi’s Environment Minister Shri Gopal Rai was also present.
CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal stated, “Since the AAP Government came into power, numerous steps have been taken to tackle the persistent issue of pollution. Within 8 years of the AAP Government in Delhi, the levels of pollution have decreased with the contributions of 2 crore people of Delhi, various government agencies, and the Central Government. I would refrain from saying that today’s situation is an ideal one but this shows that the path we’re marching ahead is the right one. In comparison to 2014, today the level of pollution has declined by 30%. It’s been observed that pollution has increased in other states with time along with developmental activities, but that’s not the case with Delhi.”
The Chief Minister further cited various official data by the Central Government on pollution. He stated, “In 2014, the level of PM2.5 was 149, today it’s 103. The PM10 used to be 324 in 2014, today it’s been reduced to 223. Approximately 30% reduction in the level of pollution, has been recorded. In 2016 there used to be only 109 days with ‘Good Air’ in terms of pollution levels, now this has increased to 163. In 2016, there were 26 days with ‘Severe Air,’ this number has been reduced to 6 days only.”
Emphasizing the steps taken by the Delhi Government to battle the problem of pollution Shri Arvind stated, “For 15 years new buses weren’t added to DTC’s fleet due to this public transport deteriorated and people switched to the private transport. But in the last 2-3 years Delhi Government has purchased new buses on a large scale. To make it more eco-friendly, we purchased electric buses. In the history of Delhi, today we have the most number of buses with the number 7135. Among these, 800 buses are electric. In 2020, the Delhi Government launched an electric vehicle policy for all vehicles be it private or public. This policy has been appreciated worldwide. Today, the largest number of electric vehicles are being purchased in Delhi which is the highest in the world. Approximately, 17% of newly purchased vehicles are e-vehicles in the national capital.”
The Chief Minister further added that with the developmental activities, the number of trees was reduced because of the construction of roads and buildings. This phenomenon has been observed in other cities, but this is not happening in Delhi. In 2014 Delhi had 20% tree cover which has now increased to 23%. Amongst all the major Delhi boasts the highest green cover. We also formulated a ‘Tree Transplantation Policy.’ Many times we have to appropriate the cutting of trees for significant projects. There are trees which have been standing for 100-150 years, and have dense green cover, chopping down such trees is not just. So we have made a provision under the stated policy that such plants should transplanted to the other place. Delhi hosted two thermal power plants based on Coal. Delhi is the only city in the country which has zero Coal-fired Thermal Power Plant. The contributors to the dust pollution are being penalized heavily, and they’re being monitored through a web portal in real-time. There are 1727 registered industrial units in Delhi. Earlier these industrial units used to run polluting fuels, now they have been shifted to Piped Natural Gas(PNG). Before the AAP government in Delhi, people used to deal with long power cuts of 7-8 hours and people were forced to use generators which contributed to smoke and pollution. Now with 24*7 electricity facilities, there is no usage of generators.
He continued, “The Central Government has constructed a peripheral expressway on the two sides of Delhi. With this, those vehicles which are not destined for Delhi, now opt for peripheral expressways. Earlier they used to cross Delhi before entering Delhi amounting to pollution in return, now they don’t enter Delhi which has contributed to the reduction in pollution levels.”
To tackle the problems of pollution during the coming Winter season CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal put forward a 15-point ‘Winter Action Plan.’
1: For 13 hotspots, separate special action plans
The Delhi Government has identified 13 hotspots which are major hubs of pollution. Each hotspot has its own Action Plan and for this, a war room and 13 special teams have been prepared. Each hotspot zone will be kept in intensive focus to down the pollution levels.
2: Parali (Stubble Burning)
CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal mentioned that for the past 3 years, we have successfully promoted the free distribution of Pusa Bio-Decomposer in Delhi’s fields to prevent stubble burning. The results have been quite good. Last year, we distributed Bio-Decomposer on more than 4,400 acres of land. This year, it will be distributed for free on more than 5,000 acres of both Basmati and non-Basmati agricultural land.
3: Dust Pollution
CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal stated that several steps have been taken to reduce dust pollution. Multiple teams have been formed to monitor construction sites. Construction sites covering an area of more than 500 sq. meters need to be registered on a web portal for dust control. Additionally, anti-smog guns are mandatory for construction sites covering more than 5,000 sq. meters. To control dust during road cleaning, 82 mechanical road-sweeping machines have been deployed. Furthermore, 530 water sprinkling machines and 258 mobile anti-smog guns will be used for water spraying on roads.
4: Vehicle Pollution
CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal mentioned that the emissions from vehicles will be checked through the PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificate. Moreover, strict measures are being taken to ban 10-year-old diesel vehicles and 15-year-old petrol vehicles for this 385 teams have been made. Identification has been done for 90 roads in Delhi with excessive traffic, and alternative routes will be provided to reduce traffic on these roads. Promotion and awareness campaigns will be conducted for these alternative routes.
5: Ban on Open Waste Burning
Burning garbage in the open is completely banned within Delhi. For its monitoring, 611 teams have been formed.
6: Industrial Pollution
The CM stated that all 1,727 industrial units in Delhi are now operated using PNG (Piped Natural Gas). For its monitoring, 66 teams have been formed. These teams will ensure that these units are not using any unauthorized and polluting fuels. Additionally, action will be taken against illegally operating industrial units.
7: Green War Room
CM Arvind Kejriwal has established a Green War Room for round-the-clock monitoring. Here, an analysis of daily actions taken by all agencies will be conducted, and plans for the next day will be formulated.
8: Green Delhi App
CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal mentioned that the Green Delhi App launched 3 years ago, has become quite popular among the public. The app has received over 70,470 complaints so far. Out of these, 63,344 complaints have been resolved, which is 90%. We appeal to all residents of Delhi to download the Green Delhi App on their mobile phones and report any pollution-related activities anywhere in Delhi. We will take action based on those reports.
9: Real-Time Source Apportionment Study
The CM mentioned that a real-time source apportionment study is being conducted in collaboration with IIT Delhi and DPCC (Delhi Pollution Control Committee). For this purpose, a super site has been established at Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya on Rouse Avenue Road. The data from this study will be used to take focused actions in various areas.
10: Ban on Firecrackers
CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal stated that, like in previous years, this year as well, the production, storage, sale, or purchase of firecrackers within Delhi will be completely banned.
11: Increasing Green Cover
To increase the green cover in Delhi, more than 1 crore new saplings will be planted, out of which the Delhi government will plant 52 lakh saplings.
12: Eco E-Waste Park
An Eco E-Waste Park is being established in Holambi Kalan. A consultant has been appointed to expedite the park’s construction.
13: Public Awareness Campaign
CM Arvind Kejriwal mentioned that various public awareness campaigns will be conducted to raise awareness about pollution. This includes campaigns like ‘Run Against Pollution,’ ‘Red Light On, Gaadi Off,’ and others.
14: Dialogue with the Central Government and Neighboring States
CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal stated that pollution knows no boundaries. The air from Haryana comes to Delhi, and Delhi’s air goes to Uttar Pradesh. Our effort is to work together with neighboring states to reduce pollution. Data from the Center for Science and Environment shows that 31% of pollution in Delhi is due to internal sources, while 69% is from external sources. We appeal to neighboring states to allow CNG-based vehicles to enter Delhi. Polluting industries running on dirty fuels in the vicinity of Delhi should shift to PNG (Piped Natural Gas). Brick kilns should be transformed with zig-zag technology. There should be 24-hour electricity supply to avoid the need for generators. There should be a complete ban on firecrackers in the NCR.
15: GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan)
CM Arvind Kejriwal mentioned that a Graded Response Action will be implemented in Delhi with strictness. Through the agencies of the Central Government and the CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management), the advance forecast for 3 days ahead is determined. Based on this, the GRAP is implemented to control pollution.
