Work from home, artificial rains: Delhi govt suggests measures to curb air pollution this winter | Delhi News

Other suggested measures in the Winter Action Plan include staggered office hours to reduce traffic congestion during peak pollution times and encouraging the use of electric vehicles in high pollution areas.

Delhi government’s Winter Action Plan may include several new measures to curb air pollution.

(PTI file photo)

New Delhi: Environment Minister Gopal Rai has hinted that this year, Delhi government’s Winter Action Plan may include several new measures to curb air pollution. These measures could also include artificial rain, implementing work-from-home for office-goers, limiting fuel-run vehicle use in highly polluted areas, and running several awareness campaigns about winter pollution in the national capital. The plan will be reviewed in detail on September 5.

As per a report by the Hindu, Rai said that the Delhi government has been consulting with officials and environmental experts to address the air quality issues, especially during stubble-burning and Diwali season when air pollution surge in the national capital region. He also mentioned a proposal from IIT-Kanpur last year about using artificial rain or cloud seeding to reduce pollutants and improve air quality in the region.

However, due to time constraints and need for financial and security approvals, the artificial rain proposal could not be implemented. Rai has requested a meeting with central agencies and IIT-Kanpur experts to revisit the proposal this year.

Work from home may be implemented

To check the surging air pollution levels, Rai suggested that the Delhi government may also promote a work-from-home policy for both private and government offices this year, especially before the onset of winter. He added that while the government has taken various measures to reduce pollution, levels typically spike sharply in November. He also pointed out that the pollution problem affects Delhi and surrounding states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, but efforts by the Kejriwal government have led to a reduction in pollution levels since it took office.

Other suggested measures in the Winter Action Plan include staggered office hours to reduce traffic congestion during peak pollution times and encouraging the use of electric vehicles in high pollution areas.

Opposition against artificial rain

The BJP has criticized the Delhi government’s artificial rain plan, calling it “ineffective” and suggesting that the focus should be on addressing stubble burning issues with the AAP-ruled Punjab. The Congress also opposed the artificial rain idea and has called for intervention by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to find a permanent solution to the issue of air pollution in the national capital and adjoining areas.

Next Article

Follow us on social media

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their original owners.}