Gopal Rai, the Environment Minister of Delhi, announced that the Winter Action Plan aimed at reducing pollution in the city will be unveiled on September 27. The plan includes measures such as the odd-even scheme and artificial rain.
According to an official statement, the government plans to use drone technology for the first time this year to monitor pollution at 13 specified hotspots across Delhi.
"The Winter Action Plan, set to be unveiled on September 27, targets pollution hotspots, vehicle and dust pollution, industrial emissions, and introduces innovative emergency measures such as the odd-even vehicle scheme and artificial rain to combat severe pollution spells," it said.
The strategy, developed after a discussion between the Environment Department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) led by Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai at the Secretariat, is based on 21 important focus areas.
"To effectively combat winter pollution, the government has intensified its preparations and identified 21 priority areas that will guide our actions in the coming months," Rai said and emphasised the importance of coordination between various agencies.
Each department's report outlines the focus areas, which cover controlling dust pollution, reducing vehicle emissions, managing stubble and garbage burning, enhancing the Green War Room, and improving the Green Delhi App for public engagement.
In addition, a plan to establish a special task force to supervise pollution control efforts and carry out a real-time source apportionment study to better understand pollution contributors is under way.
Furthermore, part of the broader strategy involves implementing measures such as increasing the city's green cover through tree plantation drives and constructing India's first e-waste eco-park.
The plan also involves cracking down on firecrackers and open garbage burning, enforcing stricter regulations for industrial pollution, and collaborating with neighbouring states and the Central government.
Also, multiple departments have been appointed as nodal agencies for specific tasks.
The Public Works Department and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi have been tasked with controlling dust pollution and operating mobile anti-smog guns, the Traffic Police and the Transport Department would check vehicle pollution and the Forest Department would increase the city's green cover.
The government is also considering work-from-home options for private organisations and altering office timings as additional measures to reduce pollution during peak months, the statement added.
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