What is Delhi Government's 7-Point Action Plan to Combat Severe Air Pollution?

The Delhi government is working harder to reduce pollution in seven important areas. According to media sources, plans call for building sidewalks, establishing open spaces alongside roadways, and creating paved and green pathways.

This plan comes after state governments were asked to cut pollution during a central government meeting in October.

Delhi Pollution in ‘Severe Category’

India's environmental monitoring organization, SAFAR, claimed that the city's air quality index fell into the "severe" category due to smoke from Diwali firecrackers over the weekend.

Particulate matter levels in certain parts of the capital were seven times higher than the WHO safety threshold.

Eliminating Old Vehicles From Delhi Streets

The plan focuses on managing construction and demolition waste, improving daily municipal solid waste handling, and addressing old waste problems. The government aims to speed up the acquisition of cleaner public transport and eliminate 5 million old vehicles. To recycle all construction and demolition waste by next year, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is developing its fifth processing unit in Tehkhand, which will recycle 1,000 tonnes of waste per day.

Delhi Government Action Plan

Take a look at the action plan to be implemented by the Delhi government to combat severe air population in the NCR:

• Green Walkways: The government is looking to create more green walkways in the city.
• Biomining Legacy Waste: MCD plans to biomine an extra 1.5 million metric tonnes of waste at the Okhla landfill. MCD also aims to biomine 3 million metric tonnes of waste from both the Ghazipur and Bhalswa landfills.
• Biomining Process: Since 2019, MCD has been biomining at three locations, following a directive from the National Green Tribunal. This process includes digging up, treating, sorting, and using old municipal solid waste.
• New Buses: The government is speeding up the purchase of 10,500 new buses, with 80% expected to be electric. Currently, there are about 7,600 buses managed by the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System Limited (DIMTS).
• Impounding Old Vehicles: The Delhi Transport Department has begun a campaign to impound old vehicles, recently taking over 1,200 vehicles.
• Scrapping Incentive: There is a scheme that offers a tax rebate of 10-20% for people who scrap their old vehicles when buying new ones.

With these plans in action the Delhi government plans to curb the sevre effects of the air pollution which has fallen to severe category.

ALSO READ: Why RBI is Moving its Gold Back from England: Key Reasons Explained
ALSO READ: Trump vs. Harris: Who Will Win the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election?