NEW DELHI: Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the city’s summer action plan to control pollution during summer on Monday. At a press conference, he said that new road sweeping machines and water sprinklers and other equipment were being procured, while several had already been deployed. He added that more than 200 patrolling teams would ensure compliance of anti-pollution norms at landfills and construction sites while checking violations such as open burning.Kejriwal also said that standard operating procedures were being put in place to control landfill fires and special teams were being constituted to look after the survival of transplanted trees. Alongside workshops on urban farming, new city forest areas would also be developed.Track the pollution level in your city“Under the summer action plan, we want to curb dust and industrial pollution, check open burning, implement solid waste management, increase green cover, develop lakes and hold dialogues on managing pollution with the neighbouring states,” said the CM.Kejriwal noted the reduction of 30% in the city’s pollution levels between 2016 and now and how the number of severe pollution days had decreased from 26 in 2016 to six in 2022.Discussing the 14-point summer plan, he listed dust pollution as the main cause of pollution in the hot months. To curb this problem, mechanical road sweeping machines, water sprinklers and anti-smog guns are being used and more will be procured, Kejriwal said. Smaller lanes under the jurisdiction of MCD would be sprinkled with water once or twice a week, he announced.He said that 13 pollution hotspots had been identified. The sources of pollution at these places would be identified and solutions found to curb them. The CM also announced that any construction site bigger than 500 square metres had to register with the state government. So far 750 such sites have registered and are being monitored.Kejriwal claimed the tree plantation drive had proved successful and now the government’s aim was to ensure survival of the trees after transplantation. He also said seven forests were being developed, while 400 workshops will be organised to increase the scope of urban farming in Delhi.Highlighting the findings of Delhi government’s real-time source apportionment study, the CM said, “In winter, pollution stems from weather patterns, stubble burning, vehicle emissions and open burning. Summer pollution is driven by landfill fires spurred by heat and blazes in areas with dry foliage. This data sheds light on the complex nature of pollution and emphasises the need for targeted solutions for each season.”
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-readies-shield-to-fight-summer-pollution/articleshow/99917441.cms
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