This time, preparations are being made for artificial rain to deal with severe pollution in winter. Delhi’s Environment Minister will write a letter to the Union Environment Minister on Friday and demand a joint meeting with IIT Kanpur so that the necessary permissions related to artificial rain can be completed on time.
To deal with pollution in the winter season in Delhi, the Kejriwal government held a round table discussion with experts in the secretariat on Thursday to prepare a winter action plan. Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the number of days with clean air in Delhi was 110 days in 2016, which has increased to 206 days in 2023. Whereas there has been an increase in the number of construction work and vehicles as compared to 2016.
Preparation of artificial rain to tackle pollution
Gopal Rai said that pollution in Delhi is divided into two parts. Pollution remains in moderate condition from February to September. Whereas pollution remains in severe condition from October to January, hence a winter action plan is being prepared. The suggestions received from 50 experts from 33 departments and different institutes will be included in the winter action plan.
Gopal Rai said that a joint meeting of 33 departments has been called on September 5 and during this time all the departments will share their plans for the Winter Action Plan.
Gopal Rai said that the experts have given these important suggestions for the winter action plan –
1. A campaign is going on all over the world for zero carbon. Carbon is not caused by vehicles or construction but emphasis is laid on changing people’s habits. Experts have advised to make people aware through a campaign.
2. When the AQI reaches the severe category, the focus is on work from home. But experts advise that work from home can be implemented much earlier. Departments have been asked to make a plan on this too.
3. Experts have suggested that if odd-even is not implemented, then on the lines of Mexico, ‘voluntary vehicle restriction’ can be implemented. This works like odd-even, there is no restriction of challan in this experiment.
4. Experts have suggested to have different office timings so that the problem of vehicle pollution due to traffic jams during office hours can be tackled.
5. Experts have advised that to control biomass, heaters should be provided to security guards from CSR funds.
6. Experts have advised that fuel vehicles should be banned at pollution hot spots and emphasis should be given to electric vehicles.
7. Experts have suggested that in the winter season when pollution increases, the process of artificial rain should be started ahead of time between 1st November to 15th November.
A review meeting will be held with the concerned departments on September 5
Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that a joint action plan will be prepared on the Winter Action Plan by holding a review meeting with all the concerned departments on September 5. In the meeting, different departments will be given the responsibility of making plans based on the focus points set under the Winter Action Plan. Accordingly, the Delhi government will prepare this year’s Winter Action Plan.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)