Action plan to tackle pollution at 13 hotspots in Capital launched
As winter approaches and pollution levels rise, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi unveiled a comprehensive action plan to combat air quality issues across the city.
80 mobile anti-smog guns across city
Among hotspots are Wazirpur, Mundka, Rohini, Jahangirpuri, Anand Vihar and more, with Wazirpur recording an alarming AQI of 381. To mitigate dust pollution, the govt has deployed 80 mobile anti-smog guns across the city. These will be used for water sprinkling, particularly to tackle dust, as higher levels of PM3, which consist primarily of dust particles, contribute significantly to pollution.
Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced a series of measures aimed at addressing pollution in 13 identified hotspots.
On Friday, Rai convened a meeting at the Delhi Secretariat with various departments to discuss strategies for controlling air pollution. “With the onset of winter, pollution levels across North India are on the rise. Delhi’s overall air quality has reached the ‘poor’ category, with certain locations recording AQI levels over 300,” he stated. Among the hotspots are Wazirpur, Mundka, Rohini, Jahangirpuri, Anand Vihar and more, with Wazirpur recording an alarming AQI of 381.
To mitigate dust pollution, the government has deployed 80 mobile anti-smog guns across the city. Rai explained, “These guns will be used for water sprinkling, particularly to tackle dust, as higher levels of PM3, which consists primarily of dust particles, contribute significantly to pollution.”
Rai emphasised the need for targeted action, stating, “We instructed officials to identify local sources of pollution in Anand Vihar and all 13 hotspots. Reports were submitted in today’s meeting, allowing us to create special action plans for these areas.”
He noted that ongoing construction, illegal dumping and heavy traffic were major contributors to pollution in various hotspots.
Coordination committees have been established for each hotspot, led by the Deputy Commissioners of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. These committees will include representatives from various departments to ensure effective management. “We have assigned one engineer from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to each location to assist with coordination and submit daily reports on actions being taken,” Rai added.
Specific plans have been developed for each hotspot. For instance, in Anand Vihar, the primary sources of pollution were identified as heavy traffic from diesel vehicles and construction-related dust. “A coordination committee has been formed with members from various departments to tackle these issues effectively,” Rai explained. In Mundka, the operation of an RMC plant and poor road conditions were highlighted as major problems, prompting the formation of a dedicated coordination team.
“The industrial area is heavily congested, and we need to address these challenges swiftly,” Rai said. He also discussed pollution issues in other hotspots, such as biomass burning in Jahangirpuri and ongoing construction in Rohini. “We are mobilizing teams to address these local challenges and ensure accountability among the involved departments,” he said.
