Delhi's Air Pollution Battle: CDVs Redeployed

In response to Delhi's air pollution crisis, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has approved re-employing Civil Defence Volunteers from November 2024 to February 2025. This decision, reversing an earlier termination, also includes a call for a defined plan for bus marshals while addressing structural budgetary measures.

In an effort to combat the escalating air pollution crisis in Delhi, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has sanctioned the redeployment of Civil Defence Volunteers (CDVs) for a four-month span starting November 2024 until February 2025.

This decision reverses last year's termination of CDV services, initially effective from November 2023. Saxena has also urged the Delhi government to develop a specific scheme for bus marshals, advocating for this in communications with the state chief minister, according to an official statement from the Raj Niwas.

The governor stressed the importance of a well-organized scheme detailing the roles and service conditions for bus marshals. He further instructed the government to expedite the creation of formal posts and ensure budgetary provisions, aiming for a sustainable, long-term strategy. The withdrawal of over 10,000 civil defence volunteers previously acting as bus marshals followed concerns from the Directorate of Civil Defence, which noted these volunteers were meant for disaster management rather than public transport security roles. Last year, Saxena approved their removal, suggesting the use of their skills in the 10,000 sanctioned home guard positions.

(With inputs from agencies.)