Delhi gets 21-point action plan to tackle winter pollution and smog. Here's all you need to know

The government of Delhi has come up with a 21-point action plan to tackle the pollution, dense smog and air quality crisis which is likely to emerge in India's national capital in the day ahead as winter months approach.

Severe air pollution has become a common problem in Delhi during winters because of erratic weather and other factors like stubble burning.

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Launching a "War Against Pollution", Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, "In Delhi, twice as many sources of pollution come from outside Delhi as from inside Delhi. Rising pollution levels in NCR states have an impact on Delhi. We also need the central government's help. Pollution can be fought only with the cooperation of all agencies and all governments. That is why our government will work on the Winter Action Plan on the theme 'Work Together, Fight Pollution'."

21-point action plan for Delhi

The state government has introduced a 21-point action plan, which includes:

• Drone monitoring of hot spots, which will happen in real time to understand the cause of the pollution.
• Formation of a six-member special task force
• Anti-dust campaign, which will begin on October 7
• Registration of all construction sites over 500 metres
• Deployment of 85 road-sweeping machines
• Using 500 water sprinkling machines, especially in November-December
• Launch of 200 mobile anti-smog guns
• Implementation of odd-even scheme if required
• Artificial rain if needed
• Implementation of ban on firecrackers
• Control of dust pollution
• Control of vehicular pollution, industrial pollution, stubble burning, open waste burning, green war room and use of green Delhi app
• Dialogue with the Central Government and neighbouring states
• Implementation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)
• Implementation of the Hari Ratna Award
• Voluntary vehicle restriction
• Work from home
• Real-time source apportionment study
• Setting up an e-waste eco-park
• Increasing green areas or plantation
• Public participation

The minister stated that six members will be included in the special task force, who will be officials from the Environment, Transport, Revenue, Traffic Police, MCD, and PWD departments.

The task force will be given the responsibility to monitor the pollution in the national capital.

“Hotspots are important to be monitored. For the first time, we have decided to use drones to monitor the (pollution) hotspots. Until last year, the inventorisation was done manually. This year there will be real-time monitoring to identify the source and cause of air pollution," Rai said.

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"A ban on firecrackers will be implemented this year as well and once the notification is issued, the ban will be fully enforced. GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) stages will come into effect and 588 teams have been formed to control the open burning of garbage," the minister added.

(With input from agencies)