Delhi government launches summer action plan to combat air pollution

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announced a new action plan aimed at combating air pollution during the summer months.

The plan involves the participation of 30 government departments and focuses on controlling dust pollution, which has been a major contributor to the city’s worsening air quality.

Kejriwal stated during a press conference, “To tackle this, the government has procured 84 mechanical road sweeping machines, 609 water sprinklers and 185 mobile anti-smog guns.”

The government has also set up patrolling teams to check dust pollution, open burning of garbage and dumping of waste in industrial areas. In addition, the government will deploy 225 and 159 teams during days and nights, respectively, to monitor dust pollution in the city.

Furthermore, real-time source apportionment studies will be conducted at 13 air pollution hotspots and a mobile air lab deployed at each of these locations.

Kejriwal also claimed that Delhi’s air pollution situation is improving while it continues to worsen in other parts of the country.

He said, “Air pollution has come down by 30 per cent between 2016 and 2022 and the number of severe air quality days declined from 26 in 2016 to just six in 2022.”

Patrolling teams have been set up to check dust pollution, open burning of garbage and dumping of waste in industrial areas.

The government will deploy 225 and 159 teams during days and nights, respectively, to monitor dust pollution in the city.

Real-time source apportionment studies will be conducted at 13 air pollution hotspots and a mobile air lab deployed at each of these locations.

Construction sites larger than 500 square metres will be closely monitored to check dust pollution. (With inputs from PTI)