To combat industrial pollution in the national capital, Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, announced the commencement of an ‘Anti-Industrial Pollution’ campaign running from October 20 to November 20. This initiative follows a joint meeting held between the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC), and the Environment Department.
Campaign Objectives
The ‘Anti-Industrial Pollution’ campaign will primarily focus on two key objectives. Firstly, it will subject all industrial units in Delhi to surveillance to monitor pollution. Secondly, the campaign aims to address the problem of waste dumping and burning in industrial areas, which contributes to air pollution. To manage these issues effectively, 66 teams have been deployed for a month, starting from October 20 to November 20.
Environmental Concerns
In an effort to address environmental concerns, Gopal Rai has requested a joint meeting with Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav, involving the environment ministers of NCR states. The purpose of this meeting is to develop an action plan to mitigate air pollution during the winter season in Delhi.
Air Pollution Factors
Gopal Rai emphasized that 31% of pollution in Delhi arises from internal sources, while 69% originates from external sources. While the Delhi government has implemented various measures under the Winter Action Plan to reduce pollution, the Environment Minister stressed that these efforts would be ineffective without addressing pollution sources in NCR (National Capital Region) states.
Winter Action Plan
The Delhi government has introduced a comprehensive winter action plan, consisting of 15 key points. These focus areas will guide the government’s efforts to combat pollution during the winter season.
Progress in Pollution Reduction
Gopal Rai reported that pollution levels in Delhi have decreased by 30% over the last eight years due to the steps taken by the Delhi government. However, he stressed that addressing pollution in NCR states is crucial for achieving lasting improvements.
Proposed Measures
The letter to the Union Environment Minister outlines several steps to reduce pollution, including:
- Stopping stubble burning in NCR states.
- Converting polluting brick kilns in NCR states to zig-zag technology.
- Transitioning industrial units in NCR states from polluting fuels to piped natural gas.
- Running public transport from NCR to Delhi on CNG or electric power.
- Discussing a complete ban on firecrackers in NCR states like Delhi.
The ‘Anti-Industrial Pollution’ campaign and the proposed joint meeting reflect the Delhi government’s commitment to addressing pollution comprehensively and collaboratively across the NCR region.