Emphasising on "zero-tolerance" approach to polluters, Environment minister Harsh Vardhan today said that the fortnight-long campaign against air pollution in Delhi will hopefully offer a "replicable model" for the rest of the country.
As many as 70 teams have been set up as part of a 'Clean Air Campaign' to be run by the Centre and the Delhi government from February 10-23, which will also include a mini-marathon.
"The campaign is going to be very aggressive, with a zero-tolerance approach to polluters, and not a mere symbolic exercise. We are doing this with all the urgency, and we mean business. And, we also expect people to engage pro-actively," he said.
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The ministry said 131 tonnes of dust was being emitted in Delhi every day and controlling the emission of dust alone can help mitigate air pollution, he said, adding that large-scale construction in Delhi-NCR is one of the major causes of increasing dust and pollution.
"This is going to be a concerted campaign, which we expect to be a successful, replicable model for the rest of the country," Vardhan told reporters.
"A review will be conducted of the experiences learned from the exercise. And, if we see good results at the end of the campaign, maybe similar campaigns can be done in other parts of the country," he said.
The teams will have members from the central and Delhi governments, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi Pollution Control Board (DPCB), Delhi Police, civic bodies and NGOs, he said.
The Delhi environment minister has said that his department would extend full support to the campaign, Vardhan said.
Environment Secretary C K Mishra said the purpose of this exercise is to test our observations gleaned from the field, and then see what lessons can be learnt from them, which can form part of our larger policy-making.
"The teams will have members, ranging from the central government to the sub-divisional levels, and roughly two teams in each sub-division. Our teams in the field, will initiate corrective measures if there are violations, and if needed take penal action too," he told reporters.
Mishra said the campaign will focus on four areas -- dust mitigation, municipal sold waste vehicular emission and industrial emission.
All the teams would be connected to the control room that would be set up in the CPCB premises to monitor the daily progress of efforts to mitigate the air pollution in Delhi, officials said.
A strong message has to go down that pollution is a serious economic and health issue, Vardhan said, asserting that the commitment over the issue of air pollution is at the highest level, as reflected by the special provision in this year's budget to tackle stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Delhi.
"Efforts to reduce pollution levels will not be restricted to these two weeks only, but taken throughout the year on a continuous basis," he said.
Vardhan also said the Centre has recently notified dust mitigation norms to contain dust pollution in the city.
The campaign will also include enforcement of pollution- control measures for vehicles, driving discipline, inspection of power plants to ensure, they comply with the norms on pollution.
The control room will monitor daily progress, which will be shared with both the Union and state governments and suggest midway corrections, if required, the ministry said.
Educational institutions, schools, colleges and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) will also be involved in the campaign.
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