NEW DELHI: Environment minister Gopal Rai, who conducted a review meeting with officials of 33 departments to combat pollution, said a campaign will start on Wednesday against open waste burning.
He said that apart from resident welfare associations, construction sites that are over 500 square metres in area will have to provide heaters to night-time workers and security guards.
Rai said that last year, RWAs provided heaters to security guards across various societies. This year, he has mandated that all govt departments ensure heaters are available for night-shift employees at both offices and construction sites.
“Additionally, any construction site exceeding 500 square metres — regardless of whether it is privately or govt-run — must provide heaters to night-duty workers, including security guards, to help prevent open fires,” Rai said.
He added that 588 teams have been deployed to control open burning. “Departments have been instructed to provide heaters to those working night shifts in both govt and private sectors,” the minister said.
Rai said that since Diwali, AQI levels in Delhi and neighbouring north Indian states have been consistently high. As per meteorological experts, the next ten days are expected to bring adverse weather conditions, with lower temperatures and reduced wind speeds,” he said.
Since the implementation of the winter action plan in Oct, 76,558 vehicle challans had been issued for pollution violations, and 3,248 old vehicles were impounded.
As part of the campaign against dust pollution, Rai said 7,927 sites were inspected, with 428 identified as being in major violation. Fines totalling Rs 63 lakh were imposed on construction sites that are not complying with construction and demolition (C&D) waste management rules.
For road dust control, 68 static anti-smog guns were installed in different locations, particularly tall buildings, Rai said. He added that 146 anti-smog guns were installed on high-rises, along with 200 mobile anti-smog guns deployed across assembly constituencies and hotspots.
In Delhi, a campaign for spraying bio-decomposers to manage stubble burning is currently on, covering 3,258 acres, Rai added.
“We are making every effort to intensify our campaign with the cooperation of Delhi residents. I also urge neighbouring states with BJP govts to enhance their initiatives as well.”
