Delhi : Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday held a review meeting with officials of various departments of the Delhi Secretariat on the Winter Action Plan. Officials from departments like Environment Department, DPCC, MCD, NDMC, DDA, Revenue Department, Water Board, Development Department, Delhi Police, DTC, I&FC, PWD, etc. participated in this meeting. During the meeting, Environment Minister Gopal Rai discussed 21 points of the Winter Action Plan with officials from various departments. Instructions were also given to the departments regarding the implementation of UVA in the meeting. Gopal Rai today said that under the Winter Action Plan, the government will start a campaign against open burning in Delhi for a month from November 6. Under this campaign, 588 patrol teams from concerned departments will be deployed. Government departments, RWA and construction agencies have been directed to provide heaters to security guards deployed on night duty.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that due to increasing cold and decreasing wind speed, the AQI in Delhi and nearby states has increased. It has been between 300 and 400. According to scientists, the temperature is decreasing rapidly and the wind speed is also very low. The next 10 days will be difficult for Delhi. That is why a review meeting was convened today at the Delhi Secretariat on the work done by all concerned departments against pollution. Following the announcement of the Winter Action Plan, the meeting reviewed the work done so far by departments and discussed further preparations. Burning open fire in winter also increases pollution, which is why the government is going to start a campaign against open burning in Delhi for a month from November 6. Under this campaign, 588 patrol teams from concerned departments will be deployed. All these teams will work round the clock to monitor and prevent incidents of open burning in Delhi.
Environment Minister Gopal Rai said teams related to the anti-dust drive have so far inspected 7,927 construction sites and issued notices and challans to 428 sites after finding violations of the guidelines issued at the construction sites. Additionally, a fine of Rs 63 lakh was also imposed. Minister Gopal Rai said the team includes officials from 13 related departments. They are inspecting construction sites at different places in Delhi and taking action against violation of norms. All teams have been instructed to conduct continuous inspections. 68 static anti-smog weapons were deployed on roads and open areas to prevent road dust from spreading again. 200 mobile anti-smog guns were deployed in 70 constituencies and hotspots to reduce dust on roads and open areas. 146 anti-smog guns have also been installed on top of tall buildings.
Gopal Rai said that to end the stubble problem, the Delhi government is spraying Pusa biodecomposer in the paddy fields of Delhi for free, this time the biodecomposer will be sprayed in more than 5000 acres of fields. So far, biodecomposer has been sprayed on more than 3,258 acres of fields. 11 teams were formed to stop and inspect stubble burning. In addition, training programs were also organized to sensitize the farmers of Delhi. Gopal Rai said that the government has taken many measures to reduce pollution caused by vehicles, 76558 vehicles have been questioned since October. 3,248 old vehicles were also confiscated.
Gopal Rai said the government department’s construction agency, RWA, has been instructed to distribute electric heaters to security guards. So that open burning of biomass and solid waste can be discouraged. Night security guards working on construction sites larger than 500 square meters have also been instructed to distribute electric heaters.
