Delhi's Comprehensive Pollution Control Strategy: From Car-Pooling Apps to Smog-Eating Surfaces

Sirsa alleged that AAP leaders were deliberately engaging in garbage burning activities.

New Delhi:

On Wednesday, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa unveiled Delhi government's comprehensive pollution control strategy, which includes revamping the Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) system through third-party monitoring, developing a car-pooling application to reduce traffic congestion, and allocating Rs 2,700 crore over a decade to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for acquiring mechanical road sweepers and litter pickers.

During a press conference, Sirsa elaborated on the car-pooling initiative, stating, "We are working to introduce a car-pooling app that will be user-friendly and easily accessible for Delhi residents."

The minister further revealed plans to employ a third-party agency for monitoring potholes throughout the city. Under this proposed system, the agency will conduct year-round surveys, travel across Delhi, identify potholes, document them with photographs, and submit the data to authorities. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has already issued a tender for this purpose.

Sirsa also announced the government's collaboration with traffic police to develop an integrated traffic management system. "Currently, traffic signals maintain their red light duration regardless of congestion levels, which exacerbates traffic jams. We are developing a system that can reduce the red light duration when traffic congestion is detected," he explained.

Additionally, the government plans to partner with Google Maps to identify traffic pollution hotspots. Sirsa noted that during the Aam Aadmi Party government's tenure, there were 13 pollution hotspots, which have now increased to 62. "Our partnership with Google Maps aims to identify 100 vehicular pollution hotspots, enabling us to implement targeted measures," he added.

Sirsa identified four main pollution sources in Delhi: vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, dust, and solid waste. The Public Works Department (PWD) has been instructed to deploy 70 mechanical road sweepers and water sprinklers. Approximately 1,000 litter pickers and 300 water sprinklers are also being positioned throughout the city.

The minister emphasized that Delhi is coordinating with neighboring states to ensure a regional approach to air pollution control. "We are maintaining communication with adjacent states and working to improve air quality levels across the region," he said.

In an innovative move, Sirsa announced that the government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IIT Madras to identify and develop "smog-eating" surfaces capable of reducing pollution levels. These surfaces will undergo testing before implementation in selected areas.

To encourage public transport usage, the government is expanding its fleet of electric buses, with 100 new vehicles scheduled to be inaugurated on Thursday by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

Sirsa concluded with allegations that AAP leaders were deliberately burning garbage to increase pollution levels, urging "AAP and their supremo Arvind Kejriwal to refrain from engaging in such detrimental political tactics."