Every year as the air gets colder and the festive season draws near, the residents of Delhi prepare for a new outbreak of pollution. But this year, Aam Aadmi chief minister and party chief Arvind Kejriwal appears to be turning no stone unturned to ensure air quality remains within the allowable limit.
In recent days, the Delhi government has introduced a series of measures under the ‘Yuddh. Pradushan ke Viruddh ‘campaign against pollution. These include launching the anti-dust campaign, introducing the use of the biodecomponent technique for stubble burning, announcing the tree transplant policy, and launching the electric vehicle policy.
Every year Delhi faces a severe air quality crisis, mainly attributed to the problem of burning stubble by farmers in Delhi and Haryana and nearby areas to clean their farms for a fresh harvest.
This is what India can learn from the Delhi government when it comes to tackling the problem of air pollution.
Biodecomposing solution
The bio-decomposer solution was developed and tested by the PUSA Institute in Delhi as a viable alternative to stubble burning. The solution can turn the stubble into softened compost, thus eliminating the need to burn it. The Delhi government plans to provide this solution at no cost to farmers in Delhi and has urged nearby states to do the same.
Smog towers and anti-smog guns
The Delhi government is also investing in the installation of “Smog Towers” in areas of high pollution density in the capital, such as Cannaught Place. The Delhi cabinet on Friday sanctioned 20 million rupees for the installation of a unique device that will help spread clean air throughout the city. By the way, this will be the second tower of this type to be installed in the world after the one in China. Not just the towers, the Delhi government has also deployed various anti-smog weapons throughout the city to control dust. The guns spray misty water droplets into the air to help the dust settle.
Thermal power plant closure
Apart from burning stubble, another source of air pollution in Delhi is thermal power plants which emit a lot of air pollution. In that sense, the Delhi government has already closed two of those plants in the city. It has also asked nearby states to close 11 of those thermal plants located around the capital that cause pollution in Delhi.
Afforestation campaign
The Kejriwal government is known for its pro-green policies. In a new attempt to ensure the city’s tree cover, the government has ordered that at least 80 percent of the trees cut down for construction must be replanted. The measure could help solve the double problem of providing adequate housing for residents while maintaining ecological balance.
Heavy fines
These are not the only steps the Delhi government has taken to curb the threat of air pollution. A war room against pollution has been created in the capital to monitor air quality and assess the environment by a team of experts in real time. Delhi also implemented an electric vehicle policy and incentivized electric vehicles to combat vehicular pollution and imposed heavy fines for violating environmental laws. Violating the dust control rules can cost you a fine of up to Rs 20 lakh. The Delhi Pollution Committee has also imposed a fine of Rs 1 crore for burning garbage in certain areas of the city.
Whether the measures work remains to be seen.
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