Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has introduced the ‘Dust-free Delhi’ initiative to reduce rising air pollution levels in the capital, especially before the winter air quality worsens. The effort focuses on minimizing road dust, which is a significant contributor to pollution in the city.
Key Causes of Air Pollution in Delhi
A major cause of pollution in Delhi is road dust. As the weather remains dry, mud and silt accumulate on roads. Traffic movement stirs up this dust, causing it to spread into the air and severely degrade air quality. With rains stopping in recent days, this issue has become more pronounced.
Agencies Involved in the ‘Dust-free Delhi’ Campaign
Three major agencies are actively involved in the clean-up operation:
- Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)
- Public Works Department (PWD)
- Delhi Jal Board (DJB)
These agencies are tasked with removing mud and silt from roads and footpaths and transporting the waste to designated dumping sites. This coordinated effort aims to reduce the amount of dust in the air.
High-level Monitoring and Coordination
A high-level task force led by P K Mishra, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, has been set up to monitor the city’s preparedness for tackling air pollution. The task force will review actions against various sources of pollution, including:
- Stubble Burning: Smoke from crop residue burning.
- Vehicle Emissions: Pollutants from cars and trucks.
- Construction Dust: Dust from building activities.
- Solid Waste: Smoke from the burning of garbage.
- Diesel Generators: Emissions from diesel-powered generators.
The collaboration between different agencies, such as MCD, DJB, and PWD, aims to strengthen efforts in tackling these various sources of pollution.
Efforts to Create a Year-Long Campaign
Although the immediate aim of the campaign is to reduce pollution levels before winter, L-G V K Saxena has suggested that the initiative should become a year-long campaign. Continuous attention to road maintenance and pollution control is necessary for lasting results.
Agencies Involved in ‘Dust-free Delhi’ Campaign
| Agency | Role in Campaign |
| Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) | Removing dust, mud, and silt from roads |
| Public Works Department (PWD) | Road maintenance and cleaning |
| Delhi Jal Board (DJB) | Coordination and transport of waste to dump sites |
National Impact of the Dust-Free Delhi Initiative
The ‘Dust-free Delhi’ initiative is crucial not only for the health of Delhi’s residents but also for improving India’s air quality management efforts. Reducing pollution in a major city like Delhi can serve as a model for other cities struggling with similar air quality issues.
Goals of the ‘Dust-free Delhi’ Initiative
The key objectives behind this initiative are:
- Minimize road dust to improve air quality.
- Enhance coordination between agencies to ensure efficiency.
- Reduce health risks related to poor air quality during winter.
Summary of Key Events
- Delhi L-G V K Saxena launched the ‘Dust-free Delhi’ initiative to reduce pollution.
- The main goal is to tackle road dust, a significant cause of air pollution.
- Major agencies like MCD, PWD, and DJB are involved in this coordinated effort.
- A high-level task force led by P K Mishra will monitor air pollution control actions.
- The campaign may extend into a year-long program for continuous pollution control.
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The ‘Dust-free Delhi’ initiative aims to reduce road dust, a major contributor to air pollution in the capital.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Public Works Department (PWD), and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) are working together on this campaign.
Road dust from dried mud and silt gets blown into the air due to traffic movement, worsening air quality.
The task force will also monitor stubble burning, vehicle emissions, construction dust, and waste burning.
L-G V K Saxena has proposed extending the campaign into a year-long effort to continuously manage air pollution.
