NEW DELHI: Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai has said that 2,500 environment marshals will be deployed at the 100 busiest traffic signals to request people to turn off their vehicles’ engines while waiting in order to reduce emissions. The minister said “Red light on, Gaddi off” is an awareness campaign and will be conducted from October 21 to November 15 between 8 am and 8 pm.
The government will, however, consider implementing the odd-even scheme only when other measures to control air pollution fail. “We have implemented odd-even several times in Delhi. It is our last resort. The scheme is also aimed at reducing vehicular pollution and we are currently focusing on ‘Red light on, Gaddi off’ campaign,” said the environment minister.
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The exact benefit of such a step may be minimal, but every small step towards reducing pollution must be appreciated. The move will not only create more awareness on the subject, but hopefully also engage citizens by making them a part of the drive.
Claiming that the campaign was an awareness campaign and not enforcement, Rai said it was targeted at initiating a behavioural change. “It is the campaign of 2 crore people in Delhi. People who are concerned about the consequences of pollution should voluntarily participate in it. This is about taking ownership,” he added.
For this campaign, the transport department and traffic police have identified 100 major traffic points from 11 districts. The marshals will be deployed at these traffic signals. They will be working in two shifts and 10 environment marshals will be positioned at each traffic point. However, additional marshals will be deployed at 10 traffic signals, including ITO, where stoppage time is around two minutes. 300 marshals have been kept as reserve in case of need, said Rai.
According to the minister, environment marshals will give a rose flower to those not turning off their car at the red light in the initial three days of the campaign. They will appeal to them to participate in it. These marshals have undergone extensive training under the guidance of the district magistrates and officers from traffic police and transport department.