Red light on, gaadi off: Delhi's anti-pollution campaign to

Delhi's air quality has been deteriorating, consistently residing in the 'poor category.' As a response to this crisis, the Delhi Government is rolling out its innovative 'Red Light On, Gaadi Off' campaign. This novel initiative urges drivers to switch off their engines while waiting at red lights. Gopal Rai, Delhi's Environment Minister, is set to officially kick off the campaign in the ITO area. At major traffic intersections, 'Red Light On, Gaadi Off' volunteers will be stationed, brandishing placards, kindly requesting commuters to turn off their engines during traffic signals. The aim? To combat pollution and conserve fuel.

Action Against Deteriorating Air Quality

The government is taking serious measures to address this problem. Gopal Rai explains, "A meeting was held with 28 departments to implement GRAP-2 (Graded Response Action Plan) within Delhi. In addition to the 13 hotspots, eight other locations were identified where the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeded 300. Nodal officers were directed to deploy special teams at these eight points to assess local sources of pollution."

Delhi's Ongoing Battle with Pollution

Delhi stands among the most polluted cities globally, and as winter approaches, the AQI worsens. A significant contributor to this dire situation is stubble burning from neighboring Punjab and Haryana states. On Wednesday, the city grappled with an AQI fluctuating between "poor" and "very unhealthy." The political arena is ablaze with debates, with the Opposition criticizing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's government for alleged unpreparedness in handling the pollution crisis. The entire northern region of India faces escalated air pollution, a concern shared by both the government and the public.

A Campaign Rooted in Research

The 'Red Light On, Gaadi Off' campaign, initiated in 2020, is founded on 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 in 2019 across several cities. Minister Rai highlights the impact, saying, "In Delhi, a study was conducted under a partnership of PCRA and Petroleum Conservation. Prior to the campaign, a survey revealed that only 20% of people turned off their engines at red lights. Subsequently, volunteers with placards launched the campaign. After the campaign, another survey indicated that nearly 80% of people had started turning off their car engines at red lights."

Different Perspectives

While the campaign aims to improve air quality, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva believes it is flawed and serves as financial assistance for AAP workers. He argues, "It has proved to be a failure in reducing pollution over the last few years, and there is no scientific study backing its viability."

In conclusion, Delhi's 'Red Light On, Gaadi Off' campaign is a creative and proactive step towards mitigating the city's air quality issues, but it remains a topic of debate within the political landscape.