Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal launches anti-pollution campaign, says polluted air can be life-threatening during COVID

Under the campaign separate plans have been prepared for each of the 13 pollution hotspots in the national capital, Kejriwal said during a digital press conference.

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday (October 5, 2020) launched a mega anti-air pollution campaign named "Yudh Pradushan Ke Virudh", saying polluted air can be life-threatening amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the campaign separate plans have been prepared for each of the 13 pollution hotspots in the national capital, Kejriwal said addressing a digital press conference. He said, ''Customised plans of action are being made for each area, according to their respective causes of pollution & the thereby execution those plans to deal with all that pollution.''

Stressing on the harmful effect of pollution during COVID, Kejriwal said, "Polluted air can be life-threatening in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both affect lungs," he said.

Kejriwal said a "war room" is being set up to monitor all anti-pollution measures being taken by his government.

''A 'Green Delhi App' is being developed which will be launched before the end of this month. It will be a photo-based complaint lodging application to take action against & redress specific pollution activities which are notified by the citizens of Delhi,'' said Kejriwal.

"Using it, people can bring pollution-causing activities, such as garbage burning or industrial pollution, to our notice. There will be a deadline to address complaints. I will get a daily report about resolved and pending grievances," the chief minister said.

Kejriwal has also issued directions to departments concerned to fill potholes to reduce dust emissions, which, he said, is a major contributor to air pollution in the city.

"Teams have been inspecting construction sites to check dust pollution," he said.

The chief minister said one of the major reasons for high levels of pollution in Delhi and nearby areas is stubble burning.

"Scientists at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute here have found an economical way to deal with the problem. They have prepared a solution which can turn stubble into manure," he said.

"We are going to prepare this solution at a large scale from Tuesday under the supervision of experts from the institute. This solution will be used in Delhi this year. Next year, we will urge other states to use it," Kejriwal said.

He also said that 11 thermal power plants within 300 km of Delhi have missed the December 2019 deadline to meet new emission norms. "We shut down our two thermal power plants. These 11 plants need to reduce their emissions," Kejriwal said.

The chief minister said that action is also needed against a large number of brick kilns using outdated technology in nearby areas.