Kejriwal launches 15-point plan to keep air breathable in winter

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday unveiled a 15-point winter action plan to kick in from October 1, when teams from various agencies will fan out across the city to intensify vehicle checks, curb sources of dust and industrial pollution, stop crop burning, and carry out regular cleaning of roads in an effort to stave off the annual pre-winter air quality crisis.

- Alok KN Mishra

Every winter, Delhi and NCR experience a huge spike in air pollution due to a combination of local, external and meteorological factors. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)
Every winter, Delhi and NCR experience a huge spike in air pollution due to a combination of local, external and meteorological factors. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)

The CM also urged other National Capital Region (NCR) states to assist in the efforts, especially on curbing farm fires and the use of firecrackers during Diwali, a day after Gurugram announced it would allow the bursting of green firecrackers in a two-hour window for the festival. Experts doubt green firecrackers are any better than conventional ones.

“We have identified thirteen hot spots where pollution is high and an action plan has been made for each hot spot and a war room has been made too. Thirteen special teams have been also formed. Last year, we used bio-decomposer to control stubble burning in 4,400 acres, this year it will be used in 5,000 acres,” the CM said.

The government has formed 591 teams to monitor construction sites, a big source of dust, Kejriwal added. The plan, which involves 28 departments including environment, transport, traffic police, municipal bodies, and other agencies to check pollution, has been prepared based on reports and suggestions from these departments. A joint meeting regarding this was held on September 14.