Guwahati: In view of the rising pollution levels, gas stations in Delhi will no longer sell gasoline without a “Pollution Under Control” certificate as of October 29, said Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Saturday.
Delhi has been using the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) since today, he added. The national capital would gradually implement GRAP over the next few days, he said.
In accordance with this, the Delhi government will launch its war room on October 3, and the anti-dust campaign will begin on October 6 to reduce dust pollution. While from October 29, petrol pumps in Delhi will stop giving petrol without a PUC certificate.
Rai gave a press conference today where he discussed the development. Rai said, “With the help of 30 departments, we have prepared a winter action plan, which was presented by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in front of the people of Delhi yesterday. This 15-point action plan will be strictly implemented and for that, all departments have been alerted.
According to Gopal Rai, the Delhi Secretariat will open a 24 hour/day war room on Monday, October 3, to ensure that GRAP is implemented correctly. In addition, the Green Delhi app will be used by the Delhi administration. People can contact the Delhi government with concerns and suggestions regarding pollution with this app.
The Winter Action Plan and GRAP both emphasise the importance of dust pollution. Minister of the environment said, “On October 6, a campaign against dust will begin. According to this, registering on the website is required for building or demolition sites larger than 500 square metres. Additionally, smog cannons must be installed in locations larger than 5,000 square metres. Private organisations had to make preparations as well. If not, something will be done.”
The Delhi government will begin spraying bio-decomposer in Delhi’s fields on October 10 as part of the Winter Action Plan to eliminate stubble. Gopal Rai stated, “This time, 5,000 acres will receive the spraying. Farmers are urged to use decomposers this year because Narela Bawana, Mundka, experienced a stubble burning issue last year.”
Gopal Rai continued by saying “In Delhi, we take numerous measures to reduce vehicle pollution. Fuel shouldn’t be delivered at the pump without a PUC certificate if the pollution level rises in the winter, as is being prepared now. We asked for suggestions on this in March. On September 29, we began the preparations by meeting with the departments of transportation, ecology, police, etc. By May 2, proposals had arrived. With effect from October 25, Delhi’s gas stations will no longer sell fuel without a PUC certificate.”
According to Minister Gopal Rai, there is currently no plan in place for odd-even in Delhi. Now, we’ll concentrate solely on GRAP. He stated: “Now, GRAP will be applied based on AQI. According to GRAP, actions will be taken to reduce construction and demolition dusts, manage waste, and order the cessation of all generator types if the AQI stays between 200 and 300.”
According to the minister, hotels and restaurants’ tandoors would no longer be allowed if the AQI is between 300 and 400. In addition to activities of national importance, diesel sets will need to be phased out, parking rates will increase, and Metro and CNG bus frequency will increase. Vehicles coming from the outside and large vehicles in Delhi would be stopped when the AQI reaches 400–500. The AQI will be monitored, and stricter action will be taken if it exceeds 450. The government will determine if it is necessary, even though there is no odd-even in this.
Rai appealed to the neighbouring states to take steps during this period. Gopal Rai said, “There is an appeal that the states of NCR should also prepare their winter action plan. UP’s politics is in Lucknow, Rajasthan’s Jaipur and Haryana’s Chandigarh, officers all sit here, so they don’t know its seriousness.”