Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday announced a comprehensive 21-point winter action plan aimed at tackling the city’s severe air pollution. The plan includes innovative measures such as real-time drone monitoring of 13 hotspots, formation of a dedicated task force and other strategic initiatives to improve air quality during the colder months.
Speaking at a press conference following a high-level meeting with representatives from 35 departments, Rai highlighted the proactive approach taken this year. “This year, for the first time, we will use drones to monitor pollution at 13 major hotspots in Delhi. A special task force will also be formed to tackle air pollution more effectively. These measures are part of our 21-point plan to ensure a cleaner winter for Delhi residents,” Rai said.
The Winter Action Plan will address critical issues such as vehicle emissions, dust control, stubble burning and industrial pollution. Each department concerned has been assigned specific tasks and must submit its action plan by September 12. Key measures include promoting work-from-home policies, preparing for the odd-even vehicle plan and exploring artificial rain to settle pollutants.
Rai also highlighted improvements in Delhi’s air quality, pointing to a 30 per cent reduction in pollution levels over the past nine years and an increase in the number of days with “good” to “moderate” air quality from 110 in 2016 to 206 in 2023. The new plan builds on last year’s 15-point strategy and includes stricter vehicle emission controls, better dust management practices and measures to reduce open burning of waste.
The Environment Department will coordinate efforts across departments, supported by a real-time source allocation study to identify and address sources of pollution. Rai stressed the need for collaboration with neighbouring states and the central government to address transboundary pollution issues, particularly stubble burning in surrounding areas.
“Dialogue with the central government and neighbouring states is a crucial part of our plan. This is not a problem that Delhi can solve alone,” Rai concluded.
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