In Fight Against Air Pollution, Govt to Launch 14-Day Campaign

As many as 70 teams have been set up as part of the campaign to be run by the government from 10-23 February.

The fortnight-long campaign against air pollution in Delhi, announced by Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan, starts on 10 February. The minister also hoped that this will offer a "replicable model" for the rest of the country.

As many as 70 teams have been set up as part of a 'Clean Air Campaign' to be run by the Centre and the Delhi government from 10-23 February, which will also include a mini-marathon.

The campaign is going to be very aggressive, with a zero-tolerance approach to polluters, and not a mere symbolic exercise. We are doing this with all the urgency, and we mean business. And, we also expect people to engage pro-actively.

Harsh Vardhan, Environment Minister

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The ministry said 131 tonnes of dust was being emitted in Delhi every day and controlling the emission of dust alone can help mitigate air pollution, adding that large-scale construction in Delhi-NCR is one of the major causes of increasing dust and pollution.

The teams will have members from the central and Delhi governments, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi Pollution Control Board (DPCB), Delhi Police, civic bodies and NGOs, he said.

All the teams would be connected to a control room that would be set up in the CPCB premises to monitor the daily progress of efforts to mitigate the air pollution in Delhi, officials said.

Vardhan asserted that there is full commitment to the issue of air pollution, as reflected by the special provision in this year's Budget to tackle stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Delhi.

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Vardhan also said the Centre has recently notified dust mitigation norms to contain dust pollution in the city.

The campaign will also include enforcement of pollution-control measures for vehicles, driving discipline and inspection of power plants to ensure they comply with the norms on pollution.

The control room will monitor daily progress, which will be shared with both the Union and state governments and suggest midway corrections, if required, the ministry said.

Educational institutions, schools, colleges and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) will also be involved in the campaign.

(With inputs from PTI.)