New Delhi: The Delhi government will be implementing the ‘Red Light on Gaadi Off’ campaign from October 26, to curb vehicular pollution in the national capital amid the rise in air pollution, Environment Minister Gopal Rai informed on Wednesday (October 25).
What Is Red Light On, Gaadi Off Campaign?
The campaign was launched on October 16, 2020, by the Environment Minister with the aim of reducing vehicular pollution in Delhi by encouraging people to turn off their engines while waiting at red lights. The decision was taken after a 2019 study conducted by the Central Road Research Institute showed that idling engines at traffic signals could increase pollution levels by more than nine per cent.
Also Read: Delhi’s Air Turns ‘Very Poor’ As Air Quality Crosses 300-Mark; Government Issues Directions
Why Is The Government Relaunching The Campaign Being?
Minister Gopal Rai said that the decision to relaunch the campaign was taken after a recent data analysis showed a decrease in PM10 pollution (particulate matter that has severe health effects) and a rise in PM2.5 concentration due to biomass burning and vehicular emissions. The Minister noted that in previous years, civil defence volunteers were involved in the campaign. This year, the campaign will involve the general public, he added.
Hon'ble Environment Minister @AapKaGopalRai Addressing an Important Press Conference | LIVE https://t.co/qTZEdLUV9s
— Aam Aadmi Party Delhi (@AAPDelhi) October 25, 2023
Minister Rai detailed the implementation of the campaign in various areas.
The aforementioned campaign will start from ITO on October 26 and will be extended to Barakhamba Road on October 28 and Chandgiram Akhara Chowk on October 30. The campaign will further be implemented in 70 Vidhan Sabha areas.
Additionally, the government will also raise awareness about the campaign among the students of public and private schools through their eco-clubs, he added.
Minister Rai said that two minutes of idling use the same amount of fuel as nearly one kilometre of driving. He added,
Every citizen of Delhi can contribute towards mitigating air pollution by making a simple change in their daily routine—reducing vehicular pollution.
Earlier this week, the Environment Minister implemented the second phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), and issued a list of directions to reduce air pollution ahead of the winter season.
Also Read: Delhi Air Quality Plunges Into ‘Poor’ Category With Air Quality Index Of 245
(With inputs from PTI)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – theLGBTQ population,indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the currentCOVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water,SanitationandHygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fightmalnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health,adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues likeair pollution,waste management,plastic ban,manual scavengingand sanitation workers andmenstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India wheretoiletsare used andopen defecation free (ODF)status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched byPrime Minister Narendra Modiin 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
