Kejriwal announces 15-point action plan to fight pollution in Delhi

Kejriwal said a reduction in power cuts, which curbed the usage of generators, and the closure of two thermal power plants, have been among the reasons that helped reduce pollution

The Delhi government will distribute stubble bio-decomposers to farmers, launch an anti-dust campaign from October 6, and form 380 teams to impose a ban on firecrackers, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Friday, as he detailed an elaborate plan aimed at curbing air pollution in the Capital ahead of winter.

Pollution levels in the Capital spiral to toxic levels every winter, driven initially by smoke from stubble fires in upwind Punjab and Haryana and then largely by local sources (like vehicular emissions). (PTI file)

“Winter is set to arrive. When winter arrives, we often witness a rise in pollution. All the preparations have been done to fight pollution. Over 20 million people of Delhi and our government have worked very hard to curb air pollution in Delhi over the last several years. As a result, the pollution in the city has reduced significantly in 2021-22 as compared to 2017-18, according to a report by the NCAP [National Clean Air Programme] of the government of India,” Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal said a reduction in power cuts, which curbed the usage of generators, and the closure of two thermal power plants, have been among the reasons that helped reduce pollution. “....there is no coal-based power plant. We curbed dust pollution by taking punitive action.”

He said they also added electric buses to the public transport fleet. “The construction of Eastern Peripheral Expressway by the central government also helped fight pollution because it helped heavy vehicles bypass the Capital.”

Pollution levels in the Capital spiral to toxic levels every winter, driven initially by smoke from stubble fires in upwind Punjab and Haryana and then largely by local sources (like vehicular emissions). The Delhi government’s plans are unable to snuff out the annual problem, largely due to a lack of political will and administrative laxity in Delhi’s neighbouring states.

For instance, Kejriwal unveiled a 10-point action plan ahead of winter last year, but the air quality index (AQI) peaked at a hazardous 471 on November 12. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”.The air breached the severe level on 24 days last year.

The action plan this year will also run parallel with a revised Graded Response Action Plan (Grap), which prescribes actions for authorities in the National Capital Region (NCR) to quell bad air. Under the plan, the first set of action will be taken once the AQI hits ‘poor’ levels.

Kejriwal on Friday underlined that this year’s plan will specifically focus on keeping dust levels under control, especially at construction sites.

“Active monitoring will be done by 586 teams. Wherever there is a construction area of more than 5,000 square feet, anti-smog guns are now mandatory. The real-time monitoring of dust pollution will be done at the sites. Registration of the construction sites is also mandatory,” Kejriwal said. He added the city would have 233 anti-smog guns.

He said they have deployed 80 road-sweeping machines. Kejriwal added that hundreds of teams have been formed to check the enforcement of pollution under-control (PUC) certificates.

“Enforcement to ensure that old and unfit vehicles do not ply will be carried out... 521 machines have been deployed for water sprinkling and 150 mobile anti-smog guns will be deployed. Around 203 routes, often congested, have been identified.”

He also said that nobody will be allowed to burn garbage in the open.

“More than 600 teams have been formed for this,” Kejriwal said. He added a ban has been imposed on crackers like every year. “Production and purchase of crackers are restricted and over 200 teams would oversee this enforcement.”

He said the Delhi government has planted 3.3 million trees to increase green cover. “The government aims to plant 4.2 million trees. The remaining trees will be planted in the second phase which will be starting from October 15.”

Kejriwal said a 24x7 green war room would be functional from October 3, where a nine-member expert team would undertake constant analysis for curbing pollution.

Pointing out that air pollution needs a coordinated effort from multiple governments, Kejriwal also appealed to states neighbouring Delhi to do their part and cut pollution.

“I am appealing to the neighbouring states to only allow CNG or electric vehicles to enter Delhi, as far as possible. They should direct industries to switch to PNG and provide 24x7 electricity in NCR. They can also stop industrial units from using polluting fuels and direct them to use PNG instead. Brick factories also cause a lot of pollution and they can order them to implement zig-zag techniques in manufacturing bricks... I am completely optimistic we will curb air pollution in winters with the cooperation of people of Delhi,” Kejriwal said.