Delhi govt pulls up its socks, issues sixpoint directive to fight toxic air
MAJOR CONCERNS Public transport, dust from construction, garbage burning on radar
NEWDELHI:The Delhi government on Tuesday announced a slew of measures to tackle the high pollution levels in Delhi, which is at its worst in the past three years.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review preparedness of pollution control measures, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia issued a six-point directive to ministers and officials of the Public Works Department (PWD), health and environment departments, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB).
The DPCC has been directed to take regular action on construction sites having built-up area of more than 20,000 square metres. A detailed note on this has to be submitted to Sisodia.
The government is reviving the Swachh Delhi App. MCDs have been directed to include the demolition cost while sanctioning building plans. The PWD will reintroduce vacuum cleaning of roads which was stoppedduringmonsoon.Itisalso set to introduce water sprinkling onroadsofsize100feetandabove. The minister asked the department to explore installation of mist fountain and air purifiers at five major traffic intersections.
Delhi has 75 cremation grounds and officials said smoke from wood-fired funerals contributes to air pollution. “The government has asked the civic bodies and DPCC to install emission control devices such as chimney and wet scrubbers at crematoriums. Chief secretary KK Sharma will hold a meeting with the civic bodies and the DPCC to run it as a pilot project,” Sisodia said.
DPCC’s WhatsApp helpline number — 9717593574 — is going to be revived through advertisements.
The government plans to cover landfill sites at Bhalswa, Okhla and Ghazipur with inert material and alum sludge from water treatment plants of DJB.
In an interstate meeting of the Central government on November 14, the government will take up the issue of pollution from vehicles such as buses waiting for passengers at Delhi’s border.