Delhi’s Battle Against Winter Pollution
High-Level Meeting Led by Chief Minister Atishi
As winter nears, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi held a crucial meeting with key officials to address the city’s pollution issues. Environment Minister Gopal Rai and other AAP leaders joined the discussion at the Delhi Secretariat. The meeting focused on reviewing pollution levels and planning immediate actions to combat the problem. Atishi urged Delhi residents to support the government’s efforts to reduce pollution.
Implementation of GRAP Stage-I
Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced the activation of Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR after the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassed 200. This stage involves dust mitigation measures, monitoring garbage burning, and checking vehicle Pollution Under Control certifications. Rai stressed the importance of cooperation from neighboring states, highlighting the need for joint efforts to tackle air pollution in North India.
Measures to Combat Pollution
Specific measures include mechanical road sweeping, water sprinkling, and the use of anti-smog guns at major intersections. Waste burning is banned, and traffic jams must be controlled. Vehicles older than 10 years (diesel) and 15 years (petrol) are prohibited. An anti-dust campaign, initiated on October 7, revealed non-compliance at construction sites, contributing to dust pollution.
Weather and Pollution Concerns
Rai noted that as temperatures drop, pollution particles settle lower in the atmosphere, worsening air quality. The government is focusing on reducing pollution sources like dust, vehicle emissions, and biomass burning. Eleven measures are in place, with emergency actions ready if needed.
Doubts Revealed
Delhi Chief Minister -: The Chief Minister is the head of the government in Delhi, similar to a principal in a school but for the city. Atishi is the current Chief Minister, responsible for making important decisions for Delhi.
Environment Minister -: The Environment Minister is a person in charge of taking care of the environment, like making sure the air and water are clean. Gopal Rai is the current Environment Minister of Delhi.
Winter Pollution -: Winter pollution refers to the increase in air pollution during the winter months. This happens because cold air traps pollutants close to the ground, making the air dirtier.
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) -: GRAP is a set of rules and actions to control air pollution in Delhi. It has different stages, and Stage-I focuses on reducing dust and checking vehicles to keep the air clean.
Anti-smog guns -: Anti-smog guns are machines that spray water into the air to help settle dust and reduce pollution. They are used to make the air cleaner, especially in areas with a lot of dust.
Anti-dust campaign -: An anti-dust campaign is an effort to reduce dust in the air. This can include actions like cleaning roads and construction sites to prevent dust from spreading.
Neighboring states -: Neighboring states are the states that are next to Delhi, like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Cooperation from these states is important because pollution can travel from one state to another.