The health department of the Delhi government has been directed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to begin procuring high-quality anti-pollution masks ahead of Diwali. Under the seven-point action plan of the Delhi government to tackle the extreme pollution levels post-Diwali, free masks to the public feature as a key component.
File Photo. BCCL
A senior Delhi government official said that the health department has been told ¡°to start procurement of N-95, which are the best quality masks for tackling air pollution, immediately¡±.
Mr Kejriwal has directed Health Minister Satyendar Jain to take immediate steps to begin the process of procuring 'best quality' masks. About 50-60 lakh high quality masks are reportedly in the process of being purchased.
The Delhi government¡¯s environment department is also planning to deploy over 272 environment marshals during this winter season. Each municipal ward will get one marshal to raise awareness about the environment as well as help tackling the pollution in the given area.
FILE PHOTO. BCCL
The marshals had earlier been withdrawn in April, when air quality had seen some improvement after the winter season.
Besides, the Delhi Home Guards directorate has trained over 2,500 personnel this year who can be deployed whenever the situation warrants.?
Further, the odd-even road rationing scheme will also come into effect in the national capital from November 4 to 15. Kejriwal had announced this last week among a slew of other measures to combat high-level of air pollution caused due to stubble burning in neighbouring states during winter.
FILE PHOTO
The seven-point action plan also includes mass mechanised sweeping and water sprinkling on roads, tree plantation, and special plans for 12 pollution hotspots in Delhi. The Delhi government would also hold a mega laser show on the eve of Diwali and appeal to the people to follow the ban on bursting of crackers on the festival.
In November last year, a surge in fumes due to Diwali crackers took Delhi¡¯s overall air quality to emergency levels after midnight, as people defied the Supreme Court¡¯s 10 pm deadline for fireworks, raising the density of the most toxic, fine particulates to about 40 times the safe limit.
While the air pollution is widely reported and talked of, its impact on health is severe and often goes unnoticed. The Delhi government has aimed to tackle pollution in the winter this year and its seven point agenda aims at improving the scenario this time around.?
With PTI Inputs