The Delhi Environment Minister announced a 21-point Winter Action Plan to deal with the severe air pollution speculated during the upcoming winter. The city experiences the worst conditions of air pollution during winter.
Key highlights
The government has prepared a comprehensive pollution control strategy:
- Drone Surveillance: The plan includes real-time drone surveillance of major pollution hotspots in the city. This kind of monitoring will be done for the first time.
- Special Task Force: A special task force will also be created to monitor air quality and tackle air pollution effectively at different places.
- Controlling Stubble Burning: Furthermore, the Action Plan will also focus on stubble burning which is considered the key factor behind the weakening quality of air in the city.
- Controlling Vehicular Pollution: This further encompasses the issues of vehicular pollution, dust, industrial emissions, and others.
- Promoting Work-From-Home Mode: The Plan also includes encouraging companies and organisations to shift to a work-from-home mode of working which will help curb the vehicular movement on roads, thereby reducing vehicular pollution.
- Odd-Even Vehicle Scheme: The government will also implement an odd-even vehicle scheme which will help not only curb the emission of pollutants but also traffic congestion.
- Artificial Rain Technique: The government will also explore the prospects of utilising artificial rain techniques to settle pollutants. Some areas witness heavy pollutants gathering over the sky where artificial rain can help.
- Green War Room and Green Delhi App: The will also upgrade its Green War Room and Green Delhi App which will improve real-time monitoring and help address citizens’ complaints quickly.
- Preventing Waste Burning: The government will take strict actions to prevent the burning of domestic as well as industrial waste in open areas. Moreover, the government will establish an e-waste eco-park.
- Expanding Green Cover: The Plan also includes measures to enhance green cover in the city by promoting tree plantation.
- Banning Firecrackers: It also talks about banning firecrackers that cause significant air pollution.
- Engaging with Governments: The Delhi Government will also engage with the Central Government and the governments of neighbouring states to enhance the effectiveness of its pollution control measures.
- Responsibility to Departments: The government has directed 35 key departments to take the requisite actions. The departments include the Environment, Public Works Department (PWD), MCD, Delhi Police, Transport, Delhi Metro, and others. They were given the responsibility to work assiduously towards reducing air pollution and asked to submit their action plans in detail by September 12.
The reasons behind severe air pollution in Delhi in winter
- Stubble Burning: The winter season witnesses the burning of crop residues in neighbouring states, primarily Punjab and Haryana. The significant amount of smoke and particulate matter produced by this activity reaches Delhi and makes the condition worse. The toxic gases produced by stubble burning include Carbon Monoxide (CO), Methane (CH4), Hydrocarbons, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
- Northward Wind Flow: It is a major factor behind the air pollution in the city during winter. It helps pollutants enter Delhi.
- Lack of Rain in Winter: Winter generally remains dry. As a result, the pollutants also continue their presence in the air for a longer duration.
- Vehicular and Industrial Emissions: Delhi is one of the most populated cities in the country when it comes to vehicles and industries. They produce a significant amount of toxic gases and particles, causing the severity of air pollution.
- Firecrackers: Winter is also a season of festivals. Diwali is the most celebrated one. People use firecrackers to celebrate, which emit harmful gases and contribute to air pollution.
Air pollution is a severe problem Delhi faces every year. This causes various health complications and affects normal and economic activities. The Action Plan is the right step to deal with the menace.
