Delhi Launches Green War Room to Combat Winter Pollution

Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai launched the Green War Room at the Delhi Secretariat to ensure effective implementation of the Winter Action Plan against pollution. The initiative includes drone mapping, real-time source apportionment, and satellite data analysis to tackle pollution, which has already seen significant reduction over recent years.

In a decisive move towards combating air pollution, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday unveiled the Green War Room at the Delhi Secretariat. The initiative is part of the Winter Action Plan aimed at mitigating pollution during the colder months. Rai highlighted a significant reduction in pollution, noting a drop in the number of polluted days from 243 in 2016 to 159 in 2023.

Rai pointed out that Delhi's air pollution had declined by 34.6 per cent. As part of a broader public awareness campaign, a 'Harit Kalash Yatra' is scheduled for October 1 in Connaught Place. 'With winter approaching, the city's environment becomes increasingly unfavourable,' Rai explained. 'Factors like reduced wind speed, cessation of rain, and falling temperatures exacerbate pollution levels.'

The Green War Room will utilize drone mapping and real-time source apportionment data from Deendayal Upadhyay Marg. Satellite data on smoke from stubble burning will also be analyzed daily. The Green Delhi app will connect the entire city, allowing citizens to report pollution-related activities. 'Join the fight against pollution by downloading the Green Delhi app,' Rai urged, emphasizing that public participation is crucial.

He underscored the role of monitoring 'hotspots,' areas contributing significantly to the Air Quality Index (AQI) spikes. The war room will analyze data from 24-hour monitoring stations and convert PM10 and PM2.5 measurements into AQI. An 8-member team of environmental experts has been constituted to operate the Green War Room and address complaints from multiple city departments.

Rai asserted that 88 per cent of the 80,473 complaints received through the Green Delhi app had been resolved. He expressed confidence in the war room's role in the ongoing campaign against pollution, a part of the newly initiated Winter Action Plan. 'Our efforts have led to a 34.6 per cent reduction in pollution, a feat made possible through public cooperation,' he added.

The upcoming Harit Kalash Yatra aims to enhance Delhi's green cover, further aiding the fight against pollution.

(With inputs from agencies.)