To curb air pollution in winter, govt starts preparations early

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 2
The Delhi Government has launched an early initiative to address the anticipated rise in air pollution during the winter season. Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced the commencement of preparations following a high-level meeting with key officials from the Environment Department, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and Development Department.

Conference on Aug 21

The govt’s main objective will be to control pollution through public participation. A ‘Save Environment’ round table conference will be held on August 21, where experts will come together to draft a comprehensive ‘Winter Action Plan’. — Gopal Rai, Environment Minister

Emphasising the importance of proactive measures, Rai said, “This year, the main objective of our government will be to control pollution through public participation.” He added that a ‘Save Environment’ round table conference will be organised on August 21 at the Delhi Secretariat, where environmental experts will come together to draft a comprehensive ‘Winter Action Plan’. “The plan will be prepared based on the opinions and suggestions of experts,” Rai added.
The minister highlighted the critical areas that will be the focus of the government’s efforts, including dust pollution, vehicular emissions, stubble burning and the issue of garbage being burnt across various locations in the city. “During the winter season, garbage is often burned in many areas, contributing significantly to pollution. Our action plan will centre on controlling these key pollutants,” Rai explained.
He also addressed the issue of industrial pollution, noting that the government would ensure that all registered industrial units in Delhi transition to using Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to reduce emissions.
He mentioned plans to upgrade the ‘Green War Room’ and ‘Green Delhi App’ to facilitate better communication with the public and ensure timely action on complaints.
In his remarks, Rai pointed out the importance of addressing pollution hotspots across the city. “These are areas where people suffer the most from pollution. We will be focusing on real-time apportionment studies to understand and address the specific causes of pollution in these hotspots,” he said.
The minister also shared updates on India’s first e-waste eco park, currently under construction at Holambi Kalan village, which will operate on a zero-waste policy. Additionally, the government aims to increase the green cover in Delhi and promote public awareness through campaigns.
Rai reiterated the need for collaboration with the Central Government and neighbouring states to tackle pollution effectively. “Communication with the Centre and neighbouring states will be established to ensure joint efforts in controlling pollution. The implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) will be another critical component of our strategy,” he stated.