Combating Pollution: 'Red Light On, Gaadi Off' campaign in Delhi from Thursday

New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS) Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday announced a comprehensive 15-point Winter Action Plan to combat rising pollution levels in the city during the winter months.

With measures such as special campaigns in the pollution hotspots, use of bio-decomposers to address stubble burning, restrictions on biomass burning, anti-dust measures enforcement, and extensive water sprinkling using anti-smog guns, the government is taking a proactive approach to improve air quality in the national capital.

One of the central components of the plan is the 'Red Light On, Gaadi Off' campaign, aimed at reducing vehicle emissions.

Rai revealed that this campaign will commence from Thursday, starting at the ITO Chowk, and will involve active participation from Delhi residents.

Subsequent implementations of the campaign are scheduled for October 28 at Barakhamba and October 30 at Chandgi Ram Akhada Chowk, while November 2 will see the campaign span all the 70 Assembly constituencies in the city.

An additional awareness campaign, led by the Eco Club, will educate school children about the importance of turning off vehicle engines at red lights, starting November 3.

The initiative was introduced by the Delhi government in 2020, following a study conducted by scientists from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, and the Central Road Research Institute.

The study revealed that keeping engines running at red lights contributes to 9 per cent increase in pollution levels.

Rai emphasised the need to change the habit of leaving engines running at intersections, as it results in unnecessary consumption of fuel.

He stated that the primary objective of the campaign is to encourage people to turn off their vehicle engines at red lights.

He cited the success of similar campaigns conducted internationally, such as 'Engine Off, Every Stop' in London and 'Turn Off Your Engine' in cities in North Carolina, the US.

The government aims to transform the 'Red Light On, Gaadi Off' campaign into a public movement by engaging the Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), Eco Clubs, and environment volunteers to create awareness and encourage individuals to advise one another to turn off their engines at red lights.

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