Delhi CM Kejriwal launches anti-air pollution campaign

Stating that polluted air can be life-threatening in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched a mega anti-air pollution campaign. Under the campaign "Yudh Pradushan ke Virudh", separate plans have been prepared for each of the 13 pollution hotspots in the city.

New Delhi:Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday launched a mega anti-air pollution campaign, saying polluted air can be life-threatening in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the campaign "Yudh Pradushan ke Virudh", separate plans have been prepared for each of the 13 pollution hotspots in the city, Kejriwal said during a digital press conference.

"Polluted air can be life-threatening in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both affect the lungs," he said.

The CM also said that his government will soon bring a new policy under which agencies will have to transplant 80 per cent of the trees affected by their projects to a new location.

Many times cutting of trees becomes necessary for development activities like constructing a road or building. Till now, the government's policy required agencies to plant 10 saplings for each tree felled during their construction work, Kejriwal said during a digital press conference.

"No one knows how much time these 10 saplings would take to grow. So, we are soon going to approve a new policy under which agencies will have to transplant 80 per cent of the trees affected by their projects to a new location," he said.

"They will still have to plant 10 saplings each for every tree felled...The number of trees won't reduce this way," he said.

Ten saplings will have to be planted for each tree being transplanted too, according to officials.

The government will also come out with a list of empanelled technical agencies, which will be doing the transplantation.

Kejriwal said that a "war room" is being set up to monitor all anti-pollution measures being taken by his government.

The government is also preparing a "Green Delhi" mobile application, he said.

"Using it, people can bring pollution-causing activities, such as garbage burning or industrial pollution, to our notice. There will be a deadline to address complaints. I will get a daily report about resolved and pending grievances," the chief minister said.

Kejriwal has also issued directions to departments concerned to fill potholes to reduce dust emissions, which, he said, is a major contributor to air pollution in the city.

"Teams have been inspecting construction sites to check dust pollution," he said.

The chief minister said that one of the major reasons for high levels of pollution in Delhi and nearby areas is stubble burning.

"Scientists at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute here have found an economical way to deal with the problem. They have prepared a solution which can turn stubble into manure," he said.

"We are going to prepare this solution at a large scale from Tuesday under the supervision of experts from the institute. This solution will be used in Delhi this year. Next year, we will urge other states to use it," Kejriwal said.

He also said that 11 thermal power plants within 300 km of Delhi have missed the December 2019 deadline to meet new emission norms.

"We shut down our two thermal power plants. These 11 plants need to reduce their emissions," Kejriwal said.

The chief minister said that action is also needed against a large number of brick kilns using outdated technology in nearby areas.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)