New Delhi, Dec. 18(UNI): Amid mounting concerns over air pollution in the national capital, Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Verma on Wednesday announced a series of infrastructure and enforcement measures aimed at controlling dust and particulate pollution across Delhi.
Under the plan, water sprinklers will be installed on top of all flyovers in the city, supported by dedicated RO plants beneath each flyover. Sprinklers will be installed on both sides of the flyovers to help suppress dust and reduce pollution levels, the minister said.
Verma said that around 200 anti-smog guns are currently operational across Delhi and are being monitored through GPS. In addition, 270 PWD maintenance vans have been deployed on roads, while 250 mist poles have been installed at key locations. He said the number of mist poles would be increased further, especially at identified pollution hotspots on PWD roads, to strengthen pollution control efforts.
Acknowledging the scale of the challenge, the minister said Delhi’s pollution problem could not be resolved in four or six months and would require sustained efforts over several years.
“Pollution will be reduced gradually, year after year. No harsh rules will be imposed on the public,” he said, adding that citizens should follow government advisories and adopt lane discipline to ease traffic congestion.
He said the Delhi government is planning for the next 40 to 50 years and urged people to have patience. “You have given us a five-year mandate, not a one-year mandate. Problems cannot be solved overnight, but they will be addressed step by step,” Verma said.
The minister also spoke in support of the “One Nation, One Election” concept, saying frequent elections disrupt governance. Citing recent municipal by-elections, he said that ministers, legislators and chief ministers often remain occupied with polls. “If elections are held once every five years, governments will get adequate time to work effectively,” he said.
Launching a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP), Verma alleged that key works required to tackle pollution such as removal of garbage mountains, footpath repairs, e-waste management, Yamuna cleaning, repair of roads and parks, water treatment plants, drain construction and cleaning, plastic waste management and electric vehicle policy implementation should have been completed during AAP’s 11-year rule. “None of these were done. Today, we have to do all this work,” he claimed.
He said pollution in Delhi was not a one year old problem but had worsened over many years due to inaction. “Had Arvind Kejriwal done even a little work, we would only have had to complete the remaining tasks. Instead, the problems have piled up,” Verma said.
Referring to protests by AAP leaders, Verma alleged that no green waste plant was set up under the previous government, while the present government had initiated work on six green waste plants soon after assuming office.
Describing pollution as a serious issue, Verma said the current leadership was committed to addressing it on the ground. “Unlike the previous government, we are not running away from responsibility. The Chief Minister, ministers and officials are on the streets, working in mission mode to resolve every problem,” he said.
