New Delhi, October 22, 2024: In a bid to tackle the rising pollution levels in the national capital, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has introduced the “Red Light On-Gaadi Off” campaign. The initiative was launched by Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday at the ITO intersection, urging motorists to switch off their vehicle engines at red lights to help curb pollution.
During the launch, Minister Gopal Rai emphasized that vehicle emissions, biomass burning, and dust pollution are among the main contributors to Delhi’s deteriorating air quality. The campaign aims to encourage drivers to adopt eco-friendly habits by turning off their engines at traffic signals, thereby reducing unnecessary fuel consumption and emissions. Rai highlighted that similar measures have helped lower pollution in Delhi by 34.6% in recent years.
The minister also pointed out the regional nature of the pollution crisis, attributing a part of Delhi’s air quality issues to external factors. While praising Punjab’s efforts to reduce stubble burning, he criticized neighboring states Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for not taking sufficient action. He remarked, “While the Punjab government has made significant strides in curbing stubble burning, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh lag behind, affecting Delhi’s air quality.”
Green Initiatives and Measures Taken:
- Green War Room: A dedicated control center has been set up to monitor pollution levels and respond promptly to environmental issues.
- Anti-Dust Campaign: Initiatives to control dust pollution across the city.
- Bio-Decomposer Spray: Over 5,000 acres of land are being treated with bio-decomposer to reduce stubble burning within Delhi.
Gopal Rai also addressed the issue of vehicular pollution, noting the significant contribution of diesel buses from Uttar Pradesh entering Delhi daily, especially at Anand Vihar. He urged the Uttar Pradesh government to adopt cleaner transport measures to prevent external pollution from adding to the city’s woes.
Public Participation and Encouragement: The success of the campaign, according to the minister, hinges on public participation. The “Red Light On-Gaadi Off” campaign involves environment volunteers, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), and environmentally conscious individuals. The objective is to change the mindset of daily commuters and make the habit of turning off engines at red lights a norm. “This is not just a government initiative; it’s a citizen-driven campaign,” added Rai.
GRAP-II Implementation and Further Measures: Following a drop in the Air Quality Index (AQI) to the “Very Poor” category, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR. This brings an 11-point action plan to further control the pollution levels across the region. Measures under GRAP-II will complement the ongoing efforts, including the “Red Light On-Gaadi Off” initiative.
The campaign is part of the Delhi government’s broader effort to address pollution, which continues to affect the health and well-being of its residents. As pollution levels rise with the onset of winter, these steps aim to create immediate and long-term improvements in air quality.
