In a strong rebuttal to opposition claims of inaction, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta declared that her government is relentlessly tackling air pollution—operating 365 days a year, without a single day off. The statement, delivered during a high-level review meeting on environmental health, underscores a shift towards continuous vigilance in the pollution-plagued national capital.
Winter’s toxic haze is infamous, but Gupta pointed out that pollution spikes occur year-round due to dust storms, traffic congestion, and biomass burning. Her administration’s blueprint includes real-time drone surveillance for dust control at construction sites, mandatory pollution audits for factories, and a massive push for public transport upgrades.
Key initiatives highlighted include the expansion of the EV charging network to 5,000 stations by next year and bio-enzyme spraying on roads to suppress dust. ‘Pollution doesn’t take holidays, neither do we,’ Gupta remarked, revealing that control rooms now function 24/7 with AI-driven predictive analytics for pollution hotspots.
The government has also forged partnerships with tech giants for satellite monitoring of stubble burning and incentivized farmers with subsidies for happy seeders. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board shows a promising dip in PM2.5 levels during off-peak months, credited to these sustained efforts.
However, challenges persist: rapid urbanization and transboundary pollution demand federal intervention. Gupta urged the Centre for a National Clean Air Programme boost. As citizens grapple with health impacts like rising respiratory cases, this all-year commitment offers a glimmer of hope for cleaner skies ahead.