Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday conducted a meeting of various agencies to set the target for the upcoming winter season when pollution levels remain high. All the departments shall submit their action plans to combat winter pollution by September 21. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Rai both will meet the Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav.
From the Traffic Police, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to MCDs in Delhi, all will play a vital role in combating air pollution along with Central Government agencies – Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and SAFAR for pollution data and mapping weather factors. According to senior Government officials, all Government agencies that take up construction will submit a plan to control dust pollution. The Transport Department and Traffic Police have been tasked with reducing vehicle pollution. All three MCDs will have to work on preventing garbage burning. The Environment Department will conduct dialogue with other states and the Centre. They will also work with DPCC to upgrade War Rooms and the Green App.
Rai said, “The Delhi Government has started making the Winter Action Plan to tackle the pollution problem in Delhi. A few days ago, in the meeting with officials of the Environment Department, we identified 10 focus points. To work on these points, we organised a meeting of all the principal agencies in Delhi - All the three Municipal Corporations, NDMC, Cantonment Board, DDA, CPWD, PWD, Traffic Police, Transport Department, Environment Department, Development Department.”
“ We have assigned different tasks to different departments and have asked them to submit action plans until 21st September to the Environment Department.
We will prepare the final action plan based on their recommendations. The Development Dept has been specifically directed to draft a timeline & action plan to curb stubble burning,” he said. “To tackle the dust pollution, all the MCDs, NDMC, DDA, CPWD, PWD, DDA, Cantonment Board, I&FC Department and all other government agencies that take up construction work have been asked to make an action plan on four focus points - a) procurement of dust suppression chemicals; b) Mechanical Road Sweeping; c) disposal plan for the dust sucked from roads; d) special training for ground staff to sensitise them about pollution,” he added.