Govt identifies 8 more pollution hotspots, says Minister Gopal Rai
New Delhi: The government has identified eight more pollution hotspots in addition to the existing 13 in the national Capital, and special teams will be deployed there to check pollution sources, Delhi Environment minister Gopal Rai said on Monday.
After a meeting with 28 departments to ensure the effective implementation of pollution mitigation measures in the capital, Rai said the government has also decided to use suppressant powder to prevent dust pollution in the city.
Delhi’s air quality turned “very poor” on Sunday for the first time since May, mainly due to a drop in temperature and wind speed, which allowed pollutants to accumulate.
“In addition to the 13 existing air pollution hotspots in Delhi, we are focusing on eight places where the AQI has exceeded the 300-mark. These locations include Shadipur, ITO, Mandir Marg, Nehru Nagar, Patparganj, Sonia Vihar, Dhyan Chand Stadium, and Moti Bagh,” the minister told a press conference.
He added that special teams will be deployed at the eight places to identify pollution sources and take corrective measures in collaboration with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.
Rai also mentioned that district collectors have been instructed to conduct field visits on October 25 and ensure the strict implementation of pollution mitigation measures.
“Directions have also been issued to use dust suppressant powder in anti-smog guns to prevent dust pollution. The anti-dust campaign will be strengthened, and more field visits will be conducted,” he said.
Action will be taken against diesel generator sets, Rai said, adding DG sets being used for emergency services are exempt.
The minister said directions have been issued to the Delhi Traffic Police to decongest 95 identified traffic junctions which will help reduce vehicular pollution.
He said the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and the Delhi Transport Corporation have been instructed to increase the frequency of their services.
The Delhi government will also run additional buses in the capital under the “Paryavaran Bus Sewa” campaign to bolster public transport in a bid to reduce vehicular emissions, the minister said.
Rai expressed concern that several department heads and senior officials seem unaware of the deteriorating air quality and the measures their departments are implementing to combat pollution.
He urged the chief secretary to ensure these officials work diligently for the next month when air pollution is expected to peak.
Officials from the India Meteorological Department stated that the air quality in Delhi-NCR will remain “very poor” for the next few days due to a drop in temperature and the influx of emissions from stubble burning.
