Delhi government’s environment minister Gopal Rai said in a press conference that, keeping in mind the increasing pollution in winter, the Delhi government has prepared a winter action plan in collaboration with 30 departments. This plan was put forward by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal last Friday and said that due to the efforts made by the Delhi government along with the people of Delhi, a decline of more than 18 percent in PM 10 has been registered.
The Environment Minister said, “Many steps are taken to prevent vehicular pollution in Delhi, but petrol/diesel should not be given without PUC certificate at the petrol pump when the pollution level increases. In March, we had asked for suggestions regarding this. On 2 May Suggestions had come. On September 29, preparations were started by meeting with the departments of Transport, Environment, Police etc. From October 25, fuel will not be available at petrol pumps in Delhi without showing the PUC.”
He also appealed to the states of NCR to prepare their winter action plan, because the problem of Delhi’s pollution is the problem of air shed. He said that the capital of Uttar Pradesh is Lucknow, Rajasthan’s Jaipur and Haryana’s Chandigarh, so the officials sitting there have no idea of the seriousness of pollution.
This year, 15 main points will be implemented in the plan prepared for winter. All departments have been alerted for this plan. The revised GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) by CAQM has been implemented in the capital from Saturday, October 1. Rai said, “The 24×7 war room will work in the Delhi Secretariat from Monday for proper implementation of GRAP and 15 Point Action Plan in Delhi. There is no seriousness in implementing GRAP in NCR areas. Through this we will increase public participation.”