Month-long drive in Delhi to combat summer dust set into motion

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government on Monday began a month-long, anti-dust campaign as part of its summer action plan to reduce pollution.
Environment minister Gopal Rai said 235 patrolling teams of 629 personnel were deployed across Delhi during the daytime and 165 teams of 433 personnel at night. The personnel were from 13 departments. He said that the patrolling teams would work round the clock to avert occurrences of dust pollution. Their report will be shared with the environment department and DPCC from time to time.
Self-registration of all construction sites that are larger than 500 square metres was mandatory on the construction and demolition of waste portal, Rai said. He added that all ways to supress dust, such as by using anti-smog guns at the construction sites, must be implemented. He said that to prevent dust pollution, 84 mechanical road sweeping (MRS) machines, 609 water sprinklers and 185 mobile anti-smog guns have been deployed too.
He said that after the initiation of the Real Time Source Apportionment Study by the Delhi government, it has become clear that factors contributing to pollution vary in winter and summer. “During the winter, pollution is largely caused by... stubble burning, firecrackers, exhaust from vehicles and open fires. On the other hand, in summer, pollution mainly occurs due to dust, mountains of garbage and fire in bushes,” he said. Air pollution has reduced by 30% in Delhi from 2016 to 2022-23 due to his government's efforts, he added.
Rai said that through a campaign, the sources of air pollution in all 13 hotspots will be tracked. “The designated officers in those locations will be notified of the primary sources of pollution in their vicinity. This information will be disseminated to facilitate prompt remedial measures,” he said.