Gopal Rai.
The Delhi government has formulated a comprehensive winter action plan to control pollution during the cold season. Environment Minister Gopal Rai held a review meeting with officials from various departments of the Delhi Secretariat on Tuesday. Officials from the Environment Department, DPCC, MCD, NDMC, DDA, Water Board, Development Department, Police, DTC, PWD and other departments participated in the meeting. The minister said that the government will launch a month-long anti-open burning operation from November 6 and will deploy 588 patrol teams.
Rai said the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi and surrounding states remained between 300 and 400 due to increasing cold and lower wind speed. According to scientists, the next 10 days are likely to be challenging for Delhi. The government therefore recognized the need to organize itself to combat pollution and convened a review meeting. The meeting also provided necessary guidance to various departments on the implementation of GREP (Graded Response Action Plan).
Delhi govt tightens crackdown on pollution
The government has dispatched 24-hour patrol teams to prevent pollution caused by open burning. The teams’ job is to identify open burning incidents and stop them immediately. Gopal Rai said that during the dust control drive, a total of 7,927 construction sites were inspected, of which notices and fines were issued to 428 sites for violation of guidelines.
The government has imposed a fine of Rs 63 lakh
So far, Delhi has been fined Rs 63 lakh. He said officials from 13 departments were continuously inspecting the construction site and taking action against violations. The government deployed 68 static anti-smog guns and 200 mobile anti-smog guns to control dust on the roads. Anti-smog guns have also been installed on 146 high-rise buildings to control dust particles in the air.
Solutions to the problem of straw burning
In order to solve the problem of straw burning, the Delhi government has started spraying Pusa biodecomposer for farmers free of charge. So far, 3,258 acres of land have been sprayed, with a target area of ​​5,000 acres. Eleven teams have been formed to keep a close watch on stubble burning and special training programs are being conducted to raise awareness among farmers.
The number of vehicles in Challan since October is 76,558
To reduce vehicle pollution, the government has issued fines to 76,558 vehicles and impounded 3,248 used vehicles since October. Gopal Rai has directed government departments, RWAs and construction agencies to provide electric heaters to night security personnel to prevent incidents of open burning of garbage.
