Delhi Prepared To Tackle Pollution, A Host Of Measures In Place: CM Rekha Gupta

For the last few decades, New Delhi and the national capital region (NCR), especially around this time of the year, have grabbed headlines for wrong reasons. Being India's capital, the pollution issue has been a topic of debate not just within the country but even outside it.  

Delhi has consistently ranked among the most polluted, in terms of air quality, capitals across the world.

The months-old BJP government in Delhi will be facing its first litmus test soon.

Delhi Pollution

“We are aware of the pollution problems and the way people of Delhi have suffered over the years. For us, it is an ongoing process, and we have taken steps from the day we took charge,” Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta told The Secretariat.

"Our government is also supporting the rollout of one of the biggest e-vehicle fleets across the country. This will ensure better service for the commuters and also provide for pollution-free movement of public transportation,” the Delhi CM said, adding that the measures will be a continuous exercise.

A clean and pollution-free national capital has been an issue and is being closely monitored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"We want to provide residents of the city with a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment," Gupta added.

The Chief Minister stated that as part of long term measures the government has also statered to promote plantation of indigenous species of trees in the city. "Instead of species like eucalyptus and kikar, which are not of much use, we have decided to plant trees like neem, jamun, fig and banyan," she said. 

Health Risks

For years, Delhi's increasing pollution level, with the alarming rise in AQI levels – often touching toxic levels with the onset of winter, has led to serious health hazards. Respiratory and breathing problems, along with other complications, including choking of the heart and lungs, became common among citizens of all age groups.

According to the World Air Quality Report 2023 by IQAir, Delhi retained its position as the world’s most polluted capital for the fourth consecutive year, with an average PM2.5 level of 92.6 µg/m³, nearly 18 times higher than the WHO’s safe limit. 

One of the major promises made by the BJP in its manifesto ahead of the crucial Delhi Assembly polls this year was to tackle the growing pollution in the national capital. 

200 e-Buses 

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister had flagged off 200 electric buses in Delhi on the occasion of Environment Day. The e-buses were launched to boost sustainable development and clean urban mobility.

The government has also introduced a fleet of over 1,000 electric vehicles in the city as part of the long-term measures to tackle the pollution issue.

The government is also concerned about the impact of pollution on the city's population and doesn't want it to be exposed to such toxic air. "We are also holding talks with our neighbouring states and trying to convince them to launch campaigns among farming communities to stop stubble burning during the season," Gupta said.

A senior official stated that a campaign against polluting vehicles is also likely to be launched in the national capital soon. "The plan is to tackle pollution at several levels and not allow any parameter to go off the charts," the official added. 

Yamuna Rejuvenation

Rejuvenation of the Yamuna River is also a priority area for the Delhi government. Earlier this week, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a slew of development projects worth over Rs. 1,816 crore, aimed at cleaning the Yamuna River.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the plan was to make the river a lifeline again for the national capital and turn it around from the status of a drain that it had been reduced to over the past few decades.

With the festival of Chhatt just weeks away, the government has tasked its official machinery to clean up the river on a war footing, sources said. As part of the long-term efforts, the government is understood to have cleared projects worth Rs. 1,416.49 crore for sewerage-related projects.

Further, this year, the state government came up with artificial lakes for immersion of idols for the ongoing festive season. The measure has helped in keeping the rivers clean instead.