Delhi government plans to team up with the neighbouring states to deal with winter pollution.
FOCUS POINTS:
The 10-point plan by Delhi Government, according to the minister, would focus on many facets of air pollution, including internal and external factors that contribute to dangerous levels of pollutants in Delhi’s air throughout the year.
Some of these issues, according to Rai, are stubble burning, automobile emission, road and construction dust, garbage burning, and poor pollution management of the hotspots.
FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WINTER POLLUTION IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL:
Stubble Burning:
As it shares its borders with Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, Delhi gets affected by the crop burning by farmers in these states.
Approximately 35 million tons are burnt in these states.
Traffic:
Another significant contribution to Delhi’s air pollution and smog is its traffic.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board and the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Delhi’s increasing air pollution is caused mainly due to its vehicular emission.
Smog:
As the winter season sets in, dust particles and toxins noticeable all around become unfit to move. Because of stagnant breezes, these toxins get locked all around and influence climate conditions, bringing brown haze or smog.
Over-population:
One more explanation of air contamination is due to over-population in Delhi.
Over-population just amounts to the different sorts of contamination, whether air contamination or commotion contamination.
Less investment in public transport:
In India, we find less investment in public transport and infrastructure, which leads to increased traffic jams and, later, air pollution.
Construction work:
Huge constructional developments in the Delhi-NCR region are another critical contributing factor increasing residue and contaminations all around.
Various building locales have slowed down work, as per the directions of the Delhi Government.
Industrial pollutants:
Industrial pollutants and landfills are likewise expanding air contamination and developing brown haze noticeable all around.
Firecrackers:
Regardless of the prohibition on fireworks are a typical sight in Diwali. It may not be the full justification behind this exhaust cloud. However, it certainly added to its developments.
TOGETHER WE WILL FIGHT:
Gopal Rai, the Delhi Environment Minister, has requested a collaborative action plan with Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan to battle against air pollution during the winter season.
Delhi expects its ‘Winter Action Plan’ to be ready by september 30.
SOME IMPORTANT INITIATIVES HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO DATE:
The Delhi government launched the campaigns: “Red Light On, Gaadi Off”, and “Green War Room” last year.
According to Rai: “We also conducted an anti-dust campaign which can be replicated in NCR areas of other states.”
The minister went on to say that Delhi tried out a microbial solution called Pusa bio decomposer for fermenting stubble into manure, and it worked well.
Green Delhi app has been launched to tackle air pollution.
Following the opening of a smog tower in Connaught Place on August 23, an over-20m-high building in Anand Vihar, one of the city’s most polluted areas, was launched on Tuesday.
WHAT MR RAI SAYS?
The Delhi Environment minister said: “We are now at a juncture where the governments of the states surrounding Delhi need to take cognizance of the bio-decomposing solution.
Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh need to step up and adopt this measure,”.
