With the festive season at its peak in Delhi NCR, there is always a fear of rising air pollution. With the Winter season approaching, it becomes imperative to come up with control measures to protect the capital from getting shrouded under layers of smog.
The Delhi Government launched an ‘Advanced Green War Room’ for 24x7 monitoring and robust implementation of the Winter Action Plan. During its first proceeding, Environment Minister Gopal Rai stressed public participation in the fight. He informed that a 12-member team consisting of experts, scientists and engineers will look after the Green War Room. Moreover, Delhi Government will launch an anti-dust campaign in Delhi from October 6, 2022.
He said, “Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced the Winter Action Plan on September 30, 2022. Under the plan, the Graded Response Action Plan has been enforced in Delhi from October 1, 2022. We have been closely monitoring the air quality and stubble situation in and around Delhi. To give a more hands-on approach and enable 24x7 monitoring of our efforts, we are starting the Advanced Green War Room. Environmental Scientist Dr BMS Reddy has been appointed as in charge of the war room. Environmental Engineer NK Joshi has been appointed as the Assistant in Incharge. Scientist Dr Nandita Moitra will be on the monitoring desk. Besides them, a 9-member team will assist them and work on the complaints received from the Green Delhi App and ensure implementation of the same in sync with other departments.”
Last year at the peak of pollution, the Centre for Science and Environment analysed the sources of pollution in Delhi. As per the report, internal sources, those within Delhi, amounted to 31% of pollution. Whereas, external sources, those within surrounding states contribute 69% of it. He said, "This is why the Advanced Green War Room has been asked to be on its toes. I urge the people of Delhi to ensure their cooperation and participation in this Winter Action Plan. With climate change and the developments in society, it is only possible to fight against pollution with the support of the people.”
Gopal Rai said that according to last year's research when pollution was at its peak, 13 hotspots were identified. As per the report on those hotspots, tallied between 2018-2021, in Jahangirpuri PM 10 levels have fallen by 20%, in Narela 8%, Ashok Vihar 22%, Vivek Vihar 15%, Punjabi Bagh 21%, Dwarka 21%, Mundka 32%, Rohini 26%, Wazirpur 24%, Okhla 15%, Bawana 16%, Anand Vihar 25%, and in RK Puram by 22%. We have seen improvement in PM 2.5 levels too. In Jahangirpuri PM 2.5 levels have fallen by 13%, in Narela 12%, Ashok Vihar 14%, Vivek Vihar 1%, Punjabi Bagh 6%, Dwarka 8%, Mundka 16%, Rohini 13%, Wazirpur 20%, Okhla 9%, Bawana 9%, Anand Vihar 16%, and in RK Puram by 13%.
Gopal Rai concluded, “From 6th October, we shall start an anti-dust campaign in Delhi. I appeal to every single Delhiite to keep an eye out for dust pollution and report every single instance of dust pollution on the Green Delhi App. I request everyone to download the Green Delhi App if they haven’t already. If Delhiites become the eyes and ears of the government, it will become easier than ever to combat pollution this winter season.”
