Delhi Launches 24×7 Green War Room to Combat Pollution

Why in the news?

  • Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai launched the “Advanced Green War Room” to monitor air pollution in Delhi round-the-clock.
  • The war room will implement the seven-point winter action plan to combat pollution.

Delhi Launches 24x7 Green War Room to Combat Pollution

Key Features and Monitoring Tools:

  • The war room will use drone monitoring, real-time source apportionment, and satellite data to track stubble burning and pollution hotspots.
  • The Green Delhi app will be integrated to manage public complaints about pollution-causing activities.
  • An eight-member team from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) will manage the war room.

Focus on Air Quality and Hotspots

  • The war room will track data from 24-hour air quality monitoring stations across the city.
  • Of the 80,473 complaints received on the Green Delhi app since 2020, 88% have been resolved.
  • Special attention will be given to 13 pollution hotspots where the AQI is 125-150 points higher than normal levels, which worsens the overall AQI of Delhi.

Key points:The Green War Room

  • Inauguration: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai launched the Green War Room to address air pollution.
  • Integration: Connected to the Green Delhi app for public reporting of pollution complaints.
  • Management: Operated by a 17-member team of scientists and engineers, linking 28 government departments.
  • Complaint Review: Complaints are reviewed collaboratively by central, state, and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)

The Winter Action Plan:

  • Launch Date: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal introduced a 15-point Winter Action Plan on September 29, 2023.
  • Anti-Dust Campaign: Scheduled to commence on October 5, 2023.

Insights from CSE:

  • Pollution Sources: 31% of pollution is internal; 69% is external.
  • Major Sources: Vehicles are significant contributors to particulate pollution in Delhi.
  • Public Engagement: Over 70,684 complaints logged on the Green Delhi app, with 90%
  • Current AQI: Delhi’s AQI was 155 on October 3, 2023, categorised as ‘moderate.’

Government Initiatives to Control Delhi’s Pollution:

  • Green War Room: Monitors actions of 20 government agencies against pollution in real-time.
  • Anti-Pollution Campaign: Launch of “Yuddh Pradushan Ke Viruddh,” including tree transplantation initiatives.
  • Green Delhi App: Mobile app for citizens to report pollution incidents like garbage burning and emissions.
  • Bio-Decomposer: Free spraying of a solution to help farmers decompose crop residue without burning.
  • Water Sprinklers: Use of sprinklers, mechanised sweepers, and anti-smog guns to reduce dust.
  • Industry Pollution: Monitoring industrial sites, enforcing clean fuel usage, and extending piped natural gas.
  • PUC Certificates: Enforcement of pollution under control certificates for vehicles and banning non-essential trucks.
  • Smog Towers: Installation of towers to purify air, with the first in Connaught Place.
  • Pollution Hotspots: Identification of 21 hotspots and deployment of teams to monitor pollution sources.

Associated Article:

https://universalinstitutions.com/delhis-21-point-winter-plan-to-combat-air-pollution/