NEW DELHI: Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday announced a series of anti-pollution measures, including additional metro trips, deployment of over 6,000 MCD workers for controlling road dust and 1,800 extra traffic personnel at congestion points.
These announcements were made at a press conference after the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-II was implemented in the national capital due to rising pollution levels.
Rai wrote a letter to his counterparts in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan requesting them not to send diesel buses into Delhi.
He added that 1,800 additional traffic personnel will be stationed at 97 key congestion points across the city, and inspections at construction and demolition sites will be intensified under GRAP II.
Starting Wednesday, the Delhi Metro will make 40 extra train trips daily, and the frequency of DTC buses will also be increased to encourage greater use of public transport in the fight against pollution.
“With the change in weather, pollution levels in Delhi are rising. This trend is not confined to Delhi; it’s affecting all of North India,” Rai noted.
He explained that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has established four levels of pollution control. “Currently, the AQI is above 300, which has triggered the implementation of GRAP Stage II,” Rai said.
The minister also mentioned that a meeting was held to discuss and plan necessary restrictions.
“Water spraying will be increased. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will deploy 6,200 workers for this purpose. We’ve directed that water sprinkling at pollution hotspots be intensified, starting from October 25,” he stated.
On Monday, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) invoked Stage II of the GRAP due to the worsening air quality in Delhi, imposing restrictions on the use of coal, firewood, and diesel generators. These restrictions took effect from 8:00 AM on Tuesday.
Delhi AQI at 385
As of 8am on Tuesday, Delhi’s air quality dropped to the ‘very poor’ category, with an AQI of 385 recorded by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Areas like Anand Vihar, Kalkaji, Nehru Place, and Akshardham Temple were shrouded in thick fog, further reducing visibility.
“Red Light On-Gaadi Off” Campaign
To combat the rising pollution levels, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has launched the “Red Light On-Gaadi Off” campaign. Kicking off the initiative at the ITO intersection, Gopal Rai urged drivers to help curb pollution by switching off their vehicle engines at red lights.
A press release highlighted that the primary causes of Delhi’s pollution are biomass burning, dust, and vehicle emissions.
While stubble burning has reduced in Punjab, Rai criticized Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for not taking sufficient action, leading to ongoing pollution incidents that are impacting Delhiites.