Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) Hinting at using artificial rain to tackle air pollution in Delhi, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Thursday said the intensive winter enforcement drive has started yielding measurable results as the AQI dropped by 50 points in a day.
“There has been a significant improvement in Delhi’s AQI – today’s level of 305 is about 50 points better than yesterday’s 353. The city is responding with rapid, coordinated action,” Sirsa said after the review meeting.
He directed the departments to maintain this progress by paying special attention to identified pollution hotspots, while ensuring inter-agency coordination through Green War Rooms.
“Around 2,000 teams are in the field day and night. Delhi’s strategy is not limited to winters – it is a 24×7, year-round governance model that puts data, accountability and citizens at its core,” Sirsa said.
He said that while the current measures are showing results, the government is also preparing for the future.
“Our efforts are not just limited to the present – we are strengthening the future. Work will begin soon to bring in 70 more mechanized sanitation workers covering 1,440 km of roads, 70 additional anti-smog guns, water sprinklers and 140 rag pickers. We are encouraging innovation through the Delhi Clean Air Challenge, and will soon be partnering with IIT Kanpur and IMD on Cloud Seeding will be conducted,” Sirsa said.
Sharing details of Delhi government’s extensive enforcement deployment, Sirsa said 200 day teams and 178-night teams (970+ personnel) have been deployed to monitor dust and construction norms as part of dust and construction management.
Sites above 500 square meters are under strict surveillance. MCD, PWD, DDA, DSIIDC and CPWD are taking the lead with GPS-tracked sweepers and daily green war room reporting, a statement said.
Claiming significant success in controlling open burning, the minister said 230 day and 213 night patrols (total 443 teams) with over 1,200 personnel are active against garbage, leaf and biomass burning. He said contingents have been deployed by MCD, DDA, DSIIDC and the Revenue Department.
To curb vehicular emissions, 578 teams of transport and allied departments, and 505 mobile prosecution teams of Delhi Traffic Police with 974 officers, PUC, are on the ground to check idling and visible smoking violations.
He said industrial pollution checks have also been stepped up, with 65 dedicated teams (33 DPCC and 32 DSIIDC) conducting daily inspections to ensure use of only PNG fuel and emission compliance at the units.
–IANS
rch/and