Delhi Air Pollution: Kejriwal Launches ‘Green Delhi’ Mobile App, Here’s How It Will Help Battle Pollution

Currently available only on Android, the application will let people to register complaints against activities such as waste burning, dust emissions from construction work, polluting vehicles, industrial pollution, among others.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (FILE)

Delhi Air Pollution: In a bid to check air pollution activities Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal launched a ‘Green Delhi’ mobile application on Thursday.

Green Delhi Mobile App: How Does It Help In Battling Pollution?

Currently available only on Android, the application will let people to register complaints against activities such as waste burning, dust emissions from construction work, polluting vehicles, industrial pollution, among others. It is available only on Android smartphones at present but the government is trying to expand it to iOS as well, Kejriwal said. After the application was launched on Thursday, Delhi’s overall air quality index (AQI) entered into the ‘severe’ category with a reading of 402 as of 12pm.

How Does Green Delhi Application Work?

The Green Delhi application lets users upload videos, audio clips, and photographs with their complaints, which is then sent to the concerned department — including departments of municipal corporations and the Central and Delhi government. The location from where the complaint is made will also be automatically uploaded and sent to the departments. “There will have to be time-bound action on these complaints. We have set timelines for the redressal of each type of complaint. After the complaint is solved, the concerned department will also upload a photograph. If the person who made the complaint is not satisfied, he can reopen the complaint,” Kejriwal said.

“Green War Rooms" to come up soon

Poor air quality impacts a healthy population and seriously impacts those having underlying medical conditions, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Kejriwal said, “Delhi government is taking several steps to control pollution in the city. In the last five years, a number of steps have been taken which have reduced air pollution by 25%.” “95 percent of industrial units in the city has switched from using dirty fuels to non-polluting fuels, and the government has also shut down thermal power plants in Delhi.”, he further added. “Green War Rooms” will be set up for the Redressal of complaints and monitoring for the application. As many as 70 ‘green marshals’ will also be deployed in different areas of the city to help address the complaints made through the application. “We want everyone to come together through this application, be it MCDs, Delhi government or the Delhi Development Authority, along with citizens, and combat air pollution together,” the CM said.