Delhi govt identifies eight more pollution hotspots, next two weeks crucial, says Gopal Rai

Pic/PTI

The government has identified eight more pollution hotspots in addition to the existing 13 in the national capital, and special teams will be deployed there to check pollution sources, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Monday, reported news agency PTI.

Earlier today Gopal Rai chaired a meeting at the Delhi Secretariat to take stock of the deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR and said special teams will be deputed to identify and inspect local sources of pollution.

After a meeting with 28 departments to ensure the effective implementation of pollution mitigation measures in the capital, Gopal Rai said the government has also decided to use dust suppressant powder to prevent dust pollution in the city.

Delhi's air quality turned "very poor" on Sunday for the first time since May, mainly due to a drop in temperature and wind speed, which allowed pollutants to accumulate.

"In addition to the 13 existing air pollution hotspots in Delhi, we are focusing on eight places where the AQI has exceeded the 300-mark. These locations include Shadipur, ITO, Mandir Marg, Nehru Nagar, Patparganj, Sonia Vihar, Dhyan Chand Stadium, and Moti Bagh," the minister told a press conference.

He added that special teams will be deployed at the eight places to identify pollution sources and take corrective measures in collaboration with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.

Rai also mentioned that district collectors have been instructed to conduct field visits on October 25 and ensure the strict implementation of pollution mitigation measures.

"Directions have also been issued to use dust suppressant powder in anti-smog guns to prevent dust pollution. The anti-dust campaign will be strengthened, and more field visits will be conducted," he said.

"The next 10-15 days are crucial and we are trying to do better than previous times," Gopal Rai told ANI.

Rai also said that the Delhi government had reached out to neighbouring states on stubble burning, which contributed to the high levels of pollution. "We have spoken to the environment ministers of the surrounding states and they have assured that they will take action on stubble burning... Due to Diwali, stubble and Dussehra, the next 10 to 15 days are very crucial for Delhi..." Gopal Rai told ANI.

The overall air quality in the national capital on Monday morning was recorded in the 'very poor' category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 306 against 302 recorded on Sunday afternoon, as per SAFAR-India.

The overall air quality in the National Capital deteriorated from the 'poor' category to the 'very poor' category, with the Air Quality Index at 302 on Sunday afternoon, as per data from SAFAR-India.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)