Flagship Promises

Reducing pollution in Delhi

Adequte Progress

By Shriram

AAP made a promise to tackle Air Pollution in Delhi which has adversely affected the quality of air that the citizens in Delhi breathe. In Delhi, there are two major episodes (of air pollution) first from mid-October to mid-November and the second from end-December to mid-January. But year-round, the level (of PM 2.5) remains three times higher than the national standard.  The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), shows that the average levels of one of the worst pollutants, the small PM2.5 particles, were 25% lower during the three years from 2016-18, than during the period 2012-14.

To tackle this various measures have been adopted by the Delhi Government in last five years. Odd- Even scheme for vehicles have been introduced thrice to curb the pollution levels. Besides this the Delhi State budget of 2018-19 was called “Green” budget as the Government presented a 26 point program to fight pollution. These 26 anti-pollution programmes, spanning across four departments — Environment, Transport, Power, and Public Works, includes a real-time, round-the-year study in partnership with the University of Washington to understand sources of pollution.

In addition to this, many other initiatives  were  introduction, i.e to procure  1,000 electric buses in Delhi and a comprehensive electric vehicle policy which provides incentives for low emission fuel like CNG, electricity, incentives for hotels to use electric or gas tandoor instead of coal tandoor. However there is no data available in the outcome documents on the number of people who received these incentives.

The outcome budget of 2019-20 shows the progress on these points. According to the outcome budget 2019-20, the study with University of Washington is approved by the cabinet and work has started. Awareness campaigns, mass awareness programs/workshops are happening across Delhi reaching out to 2400 participants.Grants are provided to 1734 schools/colleges to set up eco clubs to conduct various environmental friendly activities reaching out to 6 lakh students. 

The draft state electric vehicle policy, 2018 with comments and suggestions was sent to hon’ble minister of transport, GNCTD. After approval, cabinet has approved e policy in November, 2019.

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