Delhi Pollution: Govt Identifies 13 Hotspots, CM Kejriwal To Announce Winter Action Plan On Oct 1

The decision comes just a few days after the government announced a blanket ban on the manufacture, storage, sale and bursting of firecrackers in Delhi.

People drive through dense smog on a cold morning in New Delhi. ( Image Source :Getty Images )

New Delhi: In a bid to check pollution in the national capital, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will announce a winter action plan on October 1, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said.

Addressing a press conference after holding a meeting with 28 departments on Thursday, the minister said the government has identified 13 hotspots in the national capital and a special plan will be chalked out for them.

Speaking to the media, Gopal Rai said, “We held a meeting with 28 departments today and all have been directed to give their winter actions plans by September 25. There are 13 such hotspots that have been identified and special plan will be made for them.”

#WATCH | Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai says, "To control pollution during winter the government has decided to prepare a Winter Action Plan. We had a discussion with experts & a joint meeting was held today. 15 points have been identified and different departments have… pic.twitter.com/yBwIS7ZPJd

— ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2023

The minister said 13 teams have been formed for each of the hotspots and 15 points have been flagged that the government will focus on, PTI reported.

“The 15 points that we will focus on are - hotspots, stubble pollution, vehicular pollution, open garbage burning, industrial pollution, green war room, real-time apportionment study, complete ban on firecrackers, tree plantation, urban farming, eco waste park, public awareness, communication with the Centre, neighbouring states and implementation of GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan),” Rai further said, as quoted by PTI.

It is to be noted that the decision comes just a few days after the government announced a blanket ban on the manufacture, storage, sale and bursting of firecrackers in the capital city. The Delhi government had enforced a ban on firecrackers earlier in 2021 and 2022.

Notably, the ban on firecrackers comes ahead of the winter months, a period which has been routinely witnessed by a spike in air pollution over the past several years.