Stubble burning, smog towers, dialogue with states among ten focus points of Delhi's Winter Action Plan

Issue of stubble burning, vehicular pollution, dust pollution, burning of waste, hotspots areas, smog towers, dialogue with neighbouring states, strengthening the Green Act, up-gradation of the war room and coordination with union government and their central agencies are the ten focus points that the government would work upon to develop the winter action plan, he informed during a press briefing.

The minister chaired a high-level meeting with the officials of the environment department, DPCC, development department and forest department earlier in the day where it was decided to focus on 10 major points to implement the winter action plan.

"Addressing the issue of stubble burning would be the central focus of the action plan. Besides, a study of smog towers will also be our focus area and a committee will be constituted soon to undertake the research. Their analysis will guide us in constructing more such towers in Delhi," Rai said.

He further said that dialogue with the administration of neighbouring states would be initiated since the responsibility for air quality in Delhi does not lie solely on the shoulders of the Delhi government.

"The air pollution does not follow the boundaries of states. The pollution level in Ghaziabad or Gurugram impacts Delhi and vice versa. So it becomes a joint responsibility of neighbouring states to come together and work collaboratively to curb the pollution menace of NCR," the minister explained.

A team of officials will be set up to coordinate with neighbouring states to address the matter, he added.

Rai further said that updating the Green Act will also be the focal point that enables the citizens to register their grievances to the government.

The minister also informed that the government would upgrade the war room which was set up last year.

Meanwhile, a joint departmental review meeting of all concerning departments will be conducted on September 14 at the Delhi Secretariat. "The government will review the work done by the departments in the last one year and will also discuss the future action plan," Rai said.

Representatives from all three municipal corporations, New Delhi Municipal Council, Delhi Development Authority, Public Works Department, Traffic Police, Transport Department, Delhi Jal Board, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Central Public Works Department, and National Highways Authority of India will be present in the meeting.

Rai has also sought the creation of a joint action plan which can be enforced in Delhi and neighbouring states.

He will be meeting the Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and the Centre's Commission for Air Quality Management to discuss the problem of stubble burning in neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.