Plans to reduce pollution during Delhi CWG

New Delhi, May 17: Chief minister Sheila Dikshit, on Saturday, chaired a high-level meeting to devise ways to bring down pollution levels in the city during the Games. This meeting follows the recent release of an analysis of air pollution and public health concerns vis-a-vis the Games by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). In its analysis, CSE had said that Delhi needs a combination of long-lasting reforms as well as a contingent plan to clean up its air before the Games. Delhi has taken some key steps to check pollution. It has relocated its polluting industries and stalled further expansion of thermal power generation inside the capital. It has also proposed to stop construction activities before the Games. Improved emissions standards of vehicles, implemented largest ever CNG programme and removed old commercial vehicles. Now, the rapidly increasing motorized personal vehicle fleet remains the main challenge.

In the meeting it was decided that the government will launch an intensive drive to check pollution levels for all vehicles, inspection at the border for vehicles coming into Delhi from outside, increase in parking charges to discourage use of private vehicles, enhancement of public transport by integrating Metro with other modes and closing schools, colleges during the 12-day sporting extravaganza. Delhi government has asked the transport department to intensify pollution checking drive in September and October this year. One of the major causes of air pollution in the city is vehicular emissions which are expected to rise during the Games with traffic volumes going up considerably.

According to available figures, Delhi has 60 lakh registered vehicles while another 10 lakh vehicles come into the city from outside everyday. Dikshit reportedly said that the transport department should reduce the number of vehicles coming from other states should be minimized while the Games are on. The government will also contact chief ministers of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to intensify pollution checks in their states. Any polluting vehicles found entering Delhi will be forced to return. The government is planning to expedite work on the Western Peripheral Expressway to ensure that it is completed before October 2010. This will assure that trucks moving on inter-state routes, which use Delhi as transit, now don’t have to enter the capital. The traffic police will strictly enforce no-entry timings set for movement of commercial vehicles in the city and the cops could look at restricting the movement of light goods vehicles (LGVs) during the day time as well. The civic bodies suggested use of readymade stack parkings to accommodate more vehicles during the Games and deploying ex-servicemen as parking contractors.