Winter Action Plan to Address Air Pollution in Delhi-NCR

03 Oct 2023 Winter Action Plan to Address Air Pollution in Delhi-NCR

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs”, and the topic details “Winter Action Plan to Address Air Pollution in Delhi-NCR”. This topic has relevance in the “Environment and Ecology” section of the UPSC CSE exam.

For Prelims:

What are the reasons behind Delhi Pollution?
What is Winter Action Plan to Address Air Pollution in Delhi-NCR? 

For Mains:

GS3:  Environment and Ecology

Why in the news?

Chief Minister of UT of Delhi recently announced the winter action plan to address air pollution in Delhi. This plan aims to combat the persistently high pollution levels in the national capital during winter.

Need For Winter Action Plan:

• Worsening Air Quality: Delhi experiences severe air pollution during winters, primarily due to stubble burning, industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, and unfavourable weather conditions that lead to the trapping of pollutants.
• Health Concerns: The high levels of air pollution in Delhi have detrimental effects on public health, leading to various respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. It is crucial to take immediate action to safeguard the well-being of the people.

Previous Measures and Actions:

• Dust Pollution Control: Strictly enforcing dust pollution norms at construction sites to minimise particulate matter emissions.
• Anti-smog Guns: Deployment of anti-smog guns to suppress dust and particulate matter in the air.
• Mechanised Sweeping: Mechanized sweeping of roads to reduce the accumulation of dust and pollutants.
• Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificates: Checking and enforcing PUC certificates for vehicles to minimise vehicular emissions.
• Air Pollution Hotspots: Focused action and monitoring at 13 air pollution hotspots in Delhi to target high pollution areas, such as Anand Vihar and Jahangirpuri.

The 15-Point Action Plan: 

1. Over 10 million trees are to be planted, including 5.2 million by the Delhi government.
2. Implementation monitoring of garbage burning ban with 611 teams.
3. Awareness campaigns promoting the “Red light on, Gaadi off” initiative.
4. Prohibition of fireworks.
5. Implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
6. Identification of 13 pollution hotspots.
7. Deployment of 82 mechanical road-sweeping machines to control dust.
8. Establishment of a green war room for surveillance purposes.
9. Introduction of the Green Delhi app for citizens to report pollution-causing activities.
10. Application of PUSA bio-decomposer on 5,000 hectares of farmland to prevent stubble burning.
11. Deployment of 530 water sprinklers to minimise dust pollution.
12. Formation of 385 teams to conduct pollution certificate checks and prevent the operation of vehicles that exceed the allowed age.
13. Publicising alternate routes for 90 identified high-traffic roads.
14. Creation of war rooms and establishment of 13 special teams to address pollution hotspots.
15. Deployment of 298 smog guns on Delhi roads during the winter season.

Other Measures:

• Delhi Electric Vehicles (EV) Policy: The Chief Minister Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi launched the Delhi EV policy in 2020 to make Delhi pollution-free and establish it as the EV capital of India.

• Bio-decomposers: The Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, has developed bio-decomposers, a microbial liquid spray. When sprayed onto paddy stubble, it breaks it down, allowing easy absorption into the soil. This helps farmers avoid burning the stubble.

• Ban on Firecrackers: To reduce the spread of harmful particulate matter, the government has imposed a complete ban on the sale, storage, production, and bursting of firecrackers for the third consecutive year.

• Closure of Badarpur Power Plant: The old and polluting Badarpur coal-fired power plant in the southeastern outskirts of Delhi has been permanently shut down by the Delhi government to reduce pollution.

• Automatic Emission Measurement Stations: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has mandated that highly polluting industrial plants install automatic emission measurement stations. These stations will provide real-time data to the CPCB to better enforce pollution rules.

Sources: Delhi CM unveils 15-point winter pollution plan | Delhi News – The Indian Express 

Download Yojna daily current affairs eng med 3rd Oct 2023

Q1. How many of the following are factors contributing to winter pollution in Delhi-NCR:

1. Emissions from vehicles
2. Stubble Burning
3. High wind speeds
4. Construction dust

Select the correct codes from the codes given below: 

(a) Only one 

(b) Only two 

(c) Only three 

(d) All Four 

Answer: (c)

Q2. Consider the following:

1. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has formulated a microbial liquid spray called bio-decomposers to prevent stubble burning.
2. Deploying anti-smog guns aids in the suppression of dust and particulate matter present in the air.
3. The CAQM has mandated that highly polluting industrial plants install automatic emission measurement stations.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one 

(b) Only two 

(c) All three 

(d) None 

Answer: (a)

Q3. Discuss the causes and consequences of winter pollution in Delhi. Analyse the measures taken by the government and suggest additional strategies to mitigate the issue.

Gaurav N