SDMs to hold awareness, anti-cracker drives

Delhi Govt. signs MoU with IIT-Kanpur for new study on real-time sources of air pollution

October 22, 2021 11:46 pm | Updated October 23, 2021 01:59 am IST - New Delhi

The Delhi Government on Friday directed Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) in all districts to increase public participation in activities to control air pollution and also sensitise people.

The SDMs have also been directed to organise anti-cracker campaigns and seize firecrackers as there is a ban on sale and use of crackers, authorities said.

Plea to people

Environment Minister Gopal Rai said the government will have a meeting with the Delhi Police on Monday regarding firecrackers. He urged the people to report any illegal sale or use of crackers on the Green Delhi mobile app.

“All SDMs in the 33 zones of Delhi are to hold meetings with respective RWAs, NGOs, market associations, and other eminent organisations and figures on October 28 and 29. They will train and sensitise them towards the current status and ways to tackle air pollution in Delhi,” the Minister said.

Mr. Rai said SDMs have been ordered to not harass the general public and focus on illegal sale of crackers.

“As Diwali approaches, the government has issued a complete ban on fire-crackers to curb pollution. However, cases of illegal storage and sales have been reported — hence all SDMs have been instructed today (Friday) to organise anti-cracker campaigns throughout Delhi,” he said.

The Delhi government has signed an MoU with IIT-Kanpur for real-time source apportionment of air pollution. The project was approved earlier this year by the Cabinet.

The study is done to find the sources of pollutants in the city’s air on a real-time basis.

In July, the Delhi government terminated another study, which was commissioned in 2018, to find sources of pollutants on a real-time basis, despite paying more than ₹88 lakh for it. That study was allotted on a “nomination basis” without an open tender to the University of Washington in St. Louis and it was supposed to be completed by March 2020.

‘Moderate’ air quality

The air quality of the city improved slightly and remained in the “moderate” category on Friday. It is expected to improve to the satisfactory level in a day, according to official data.

Air pollution had worsened to the “poor” category for the first time this season on Saturday last and improved to “good” levels on Monday following rains.

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has decided to issue show-cause notices to 3,751 units across the city, which handle plastic and are operating without active registration, officials said.

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