NEW DELHI: Aiming to increase awareness among citizens about how seemingly small measures can go a long way in tackling the city’s air pollution, Delhi Police has taken the help of social media to urge people to turn off their engines at traffic signals. “We also started printing advertisements in newspapers to make people aware about switching off the engine at a red light, which usually lasts longer than 30 seconds. The city is battling pollution and small steps from commuters can reduce vehicle emissions and help improve air quality. Our social media team is running the campaign with the hashtags #EngineOffHawaSaaf and #DilliMaangePure,” said a senior police official. On Thursday, Delhi Traffic Police took to Twitter, using dialogues from Bollywood films like Gangs of Wasseypur and Hera Pheri to draw the attention of commuters. In one of the posts shared on social media, traffic police said pollution from vehicles can be reduced by 15-20% if commuters switch off their engines at signals. And not just emissions, this can also reduce fuel consumption and save money, it said. Track the pollution level in your cityThe awareness drive comes in the backdrop of a row over AAP’s ‘Red Light On, Gaadi Off’ campaign, which was postponed after the LG returned the file and asked the Kejriwal-led Delhi government to reconsider it. Experts TOI spoke to said if all commuters switch off their engines, it would have an impact on the pollution levels. Dr S Velmurugan, chief scientist, traffic engineering and safety division, Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), said the move would be beneficial. “If a red light is more than 25-30 seconds, it is advisable for commuters to switch off their engines to reduce emissions and increase fuel efficiency. Some people who don’t maintain their cars hesitate from doing this as they fear the vehicle will not start if they switch the ignition off. However, making people aware about it can definitely improve the situation,” said Velmurugan. In 2015 and 2019, CRRI had carried out studies that revealed that it not just improves fuel efficiency, but also reduces emissions. Shambhavi Shukla, programme manager, air pollution team, Centre for Science and Environment, echoed his views. “People need to be made aware about the ‘engine off’ campaign so that it can be practised on ground. Agencies responsible should ideally look at arterial roads and junctions where the traffic signal is more than 30 seconds or at least a minute and start raising awareness,” said Shukla.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/dillimaangepure-delhi-cops-spread-the-word-on-gaadi-off/articleshow/95435806.cms