Delhi’s environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has announced that all potholes in the Delhi National Capital Region must be repaired within seventy two hours as part of a new strategy to control rising air pollution. According to the minister, potholes create dust when vehicles pass over them and slow down traffic, which leads to extra fuel consumption. Officials believe that fixing potholes quickly will help reduce dust levels and improve traffic flow across the city.
Sirsa also warned industrial units that are violating pollution rules. They have been given twenty days to meet all environmental standards. Any unit that fails to comply will face fines and may not be allowed to continue operations. At present, the Graded Response Action Plan stands at level two in Delhi. If pollution levels worsen and reach GRAP level four, several activities across the city may be restricted.
The public works department will handle pothole repairs while the Municipal Corporation of Delhi plans to send water sprinklers to construction and demolition sites. The aim is to prevent dust clouds from forming in busy areas. Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta will also form a special committee including scientists and experts. This committee will meet regularly to suggest new steps to reduce pollution.
Sirsa said that authorities will install water sprinklers in neighbouring areas including Gurugram, Faridabad and Ghaziabad. He added that a long term solution must include planting more trees and increasing green cover in barren parks. Local bodies have been directed to involve citizens in tree plantation drives.
Owners of Bharat Stage two and Bharat Stage three vehicles must get mandatory pollution under control tests done. Trucks with engines below Bharat Stage four will not be permitted to operate in Delhi NCR and will be seized if found running on roads. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee will begin issuing notices to industrial units that generate excessive dust or smoke.
The minister criticised previous governments for failing to improve air quality and said earlier traffic plans did not produce results. The announcement comes after a high level meeting discussing a new report on microplastics and foam in the Yamuna river.
Delhi officials say the latest decisions are aimed at bringing immediate relief while also working on long term solutions for cleaner air and better public health.