Govt to provide over 3K RWAs electric heaters to curb open burning

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Delhi Government will distribute electric heaters to more than 3,000 Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), forest guards and unorganised industrial workers in a bid to curb open burning during the winter months.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced the campaign on Friday, calling it a “compassionate and practical step” to tackle air pollution while safeguarding public health.

“For the first time, Delhi Government under the leadership of CM Rekha Gupta, is giving direct support to thousands of security guards, and RWAs — so no one is forced to light open fires just to keep warm,” he said.

The initiative, backed by Rs 4.2 crore allocated from the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation’s (DSIIDC) CSR fund, will be directly implemented through the Divisional Commissioner’s office. The Environment Department will act as the monitoring authority to ensure transparency.

The campaign forms part of Delhi’s larger anti-pollution action plan, which includes curbs on stubble burning, strict vigilance against open fires and year-round waste management strategies. In recent months, the government has intensified biomining operations at the Ghazipur, Bhalswa and Okhla landfills, processing over 10,000 tonnes of waste daily while introducing fire safety measures such as CCTV cameras, gas detectors and quarterly fire drills. Officials said these measures have helped prevent major fire outbreaks this year.

Sirsa underlined that the government’s efforts went beyond enforcement. “Instead of just issuing advisories and prohibitions, our government is intervening with real solutions that touch the lives of thousands. We are providing heaters so people don’t have to burn biomass or waste, helping both the environment and public health,” he said.