Delhi govt makes concrete efforts to tackle rising pollution’: Minister

Amid the rising concerns over the environment of the national capital with deteriorating air quality, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Tuesday that the government is making an “all-round” preparation to combat pollution.

Action will be taken against those who violate the norms, said Rai, adding that the Delhi government is preparing to come up with a ‘Winter action plan’. “As the Diwali festival is around the corner, the Delhi government is making an all-round preparation to combat pollution. We are looking at every trivial factor that might aid in increasing pollution in Delhi. We are prepared to take strict action against those who violate the norms. The government is also preparing the ‘Winter Action Plan,”, Rai said.

“The AQI of Delhi rose above 300 the day before yesterday. As there is a change in the weather, the pollution will increase. Though it has become better now”, he added.

While urging for cooperation from the public to tackle pollution, the environment minister said, “Though we have banned firecrackers in Delhi. But the public too needs to cooperate with the government. Since everyone out there is grappling with pollution, one needs to make a point that one does not promote activities that might lead to an increase in toxicity in the air. Through everyone’s cooperation, we can achieve the goal of a clean environment”.

Speaking on the issue of traffic jams as a factor in “fueling” pollution, Gopal Rai said, “In yesterday’s meeting, we instructed the police officials to increase the police force on the points where there are massive traffic jams. With that effect, 91 such points have been identified so that the pollution that is triggered by the jams can be curbed”.

“In the meeting, which was held with the Union Environment Minister, we pointed out that the buses arriving from Uttar Pradesh or Haryana are those operated by diesel, which leads to a rise in the pollution level. Though in Delhi, there are CNG or electric buses, which should be the case in Uttar Pradesh or Haryana as well”, he added.