Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday launched the 'Red Light On, Gaadi Off' campaign aimed at reducing vehicular pollution in the capital and urged the BJP not to "take revenge against the people of Delhi".
The campaign, which kicked off at the ITO crossing in the city, saw volunteers holding placards with messages like "Yudh Pradushan Ke Virudh" and urging citizens to switch off their vehicle engines while waiting at red lights to curb emissions.
As part of the launch, the minister also distributed roses to auto drivers.
"It is essential to reduce pollution from all sources, and today, we are launching the 'Red Light On, Gaadi Off' campaign to reduce emissions from vehicles. Every person in Delhi crosses at least 10 to 15 red lights a day, which leads to significant pollution if engines are left running," Rai said.
"I request everyone to do their part and switch off their vehicle engines at red lights to help control pollution," Rai said.
The campaign will continue at Barakhamba Road on October 24 and at the Delhi Gate crossing on October 26.
Rai emphasised that public participation is key to the success of this initiative. "While the government is making efforts to reduce pollution, citizen involvement is equally crucial," he said.
Addressing the media, Rai emphasised the rising pollution levels, particularly during the winter months, and stressed the need for immediate action.
"As we all know, pollution is increasing, and it is unfortunate that the people of Delhi not only bear the brunt of pollution from within the city but also from neighbouring states. With winter approaching, pollution levels are expected to rise further," he said.
Rai said the Delhi government was doing everything it could, but Delhiites were suffering more from pollution caused outside the city than from the pollution within it.
"Vehicle emissions, dust, and biomass burning are the main contributors to Delhi’s rising pollution levels. Turning off vehicle engines at red lights is a simple yet impactful step that can help mitigate this issue," Rai said.
He added that while Delhi has taken significant steps, such as reducing vehicular pollution and dust, neighbouring states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana must do more to curb stubble burning.
The minister highlighted that stubble burning has decreased in Punjab but has increased in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. He said that although Punjab, where the AAP government took office two years ago, has seen a reduction in stubble-burning incidents, the practice remains prevalent in other states.
"I request the BJP-led governments in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to intensify their efforts in controlling pollution and reducing stubble burning," Rai added.
Referring to the contribution of diesel vehicles to air pollution, he called for greater cooperation from the BJP and urged the party to "work with us and not take political revenge against the people of Delhi".
Rai said all buses in Delhi run on CNG but at the Anand Vihar bus terminus, there are buses of the Uttar Pradesh government that do not run on CNG.
These diesel and petrol buses also contribute to Delhi's air pollution, he added.
The minister said despite Delhi's efforts, over 1,000 diesel buses contribute to air pollution in the city.
Reacting to Gopal Rai’s allegations, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said, "Delhi’s chief minister and environment minister blame Uttar Pradesh’s buses for rising pollution in Anand Vihar, even though those buses do not enter Delhi." He added that Delhi’s roads are a major contributor to pollution.
"Gopal Rai can blame others for air pollution, but who will he blame for the polluted and unkempt Kartavya Path, which is under the Delhi government’s jurisdiction? The truth is, the entire city is suffering." He also highlighted that 22 out of 37 sewage treatment plants (STPs) run by the Delhi Jal Board fail to meet standards, releasing untreated sewage into the Yamuna River, worsening both air and water pollution.
He pointed out that despite the central government allocating Rs 38.22 crores under the National Capital Air Programme, the Delhi government has only spent Rs 10.77 crores so far.
Sachdeva further added that dust from broken roads and barren roadsides accounts for 40-55 per cent of PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels in the city’s air.
He criticised the AAP government for reducing Delhi’s green cover by 0.62 per cent and failing to distribute 1.5 lakh stubble-burning machines purchased by Punjab using central funds.
Rai expressed concern over dust pollution in the city and said the Delhi government has been running anti-dust campaigns to tackle the issue. In addition to the ‘Red Light On - Gaadi Off’ campaign, the Delhi government has implemented several other measures, including setting up a green war room, launching an anti-dust campaign, and spraying bio-decomposers over 5,000 acres to manage stubble in the city.
Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.