Air Pollution In Delhi: Attn.Mr Arvind Kejriwal,Chief Minister Delhi

Some steps for controlling Air Pollution in Delhi:

Ø  Offbeat:

·         Stop unauthorized parking on road side.

·         Introduce Lane driving.

·         Stop burning of garbage-tree leaves, waste paper etc

Ø  Medium Term:

·         Remove roadside parking on all busy roads.

- Plan & Provide Parking lots around (within 1-4 kilometers) all major markets. Business districts and office complexes.

-Introduce feeder service (e-rickshaws/battery operated mini buses) from all metro stations and parking lots to main destinations /complexes in the market/business districts/office complexes.

-Introduce prohibitively high entry fee for all other private vehicles during peak hours in These busy

·         All main roads to have separate lanes for (1) slow moving vehicles (less than 20/30 km/hr; (2)buses/trucks/tempos and (3) others. Vehicles eligible to drive in lane (1) and (2) have to stick to their own lanes but Vehicles for Lane (3) can drive in any lane. 

·         Road signals need to be improved for 24X7 proper functioning.

·         Stoppage of traffic to allow VVIP vehicles should be avoided at least during peak hours.

·         Introduce Flexi working -hours(like in the West in some countries) concept in Government/Private offices to decongest the peak hour traffic and improve productivity.

·         Street cleaning with broom increases dust (suspended particle).Further burning of tree/plant leaves and other waste causes pollution. It should be replaced by vacuum system (Once a week/fortnight).Waste disposal should be as per best practices and not by burning. (Govt. may have to plan and find employment for current safai karamchari)

Ø  Long Term:

·         Indian Festivals like Dewali, Lohri and Holi result in very high pollution. Though some action is a must but being a religious issue, it is politically sensitive. Public awareness need to be created to celebrate these festivals so that pollution is minimized. Ban on use of crackers in residential area (may be allowed near Yamuna/canals etc.). Use of electric Candles/Diyas may be encouraged instead of wax candles, Oil Diyas. The Government  may like to use the services of some NGOs and social and enlightened religious groups to bring change, which may be quite slow.

·         Crematoriums: Use of wood, Ghee for cremation adds to pollution, besides adversely impacting environment due to cutting of trees. Govt. should start awareness programs to encourage use of electric crematoriums. Electric crematoriums should also be increased in the city.

·         Most Government sponsored projects—construction of roads, pavement of roads, building repairs in schools, hospitals and other establishment are of very poor quality due to large scale corruption. One can see repairs going on throughout the year largely due to vested interests, which results in heavy drain of government funds bedsides air pollution.Good quality construction is the desired solution.

·         Poor Roads: Roads with pot holes or in poor condition increases pollution as (1) it results in traffic jams (2) Vehicles are driven at low gear, which means more emission.