NOVEMBER 8, 2024-  As part of its intensified efforts to curb pollution, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has announced the formation of 58 dedicated teams to monitor industrial units across Delhi. The initiative, aimed at ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, was revealed during a review meeting led by Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday.

The meeting, attended by officials from the Environment Department, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC), and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, focused on strategies to mitigate the worsening air quality in the national capital.

Minister Rai stated that the inspection teams would conduct regular checks on industrial units and submit reports to the environment department. He emphasized that violations of environmental standards would result in strict penalties.

To date, 1,901 industrial units have already transitioned to using Piped Natural Gas (PNG) in a bid to reduce emissions. Remaining units are required to use only approved fuels, or they will face punitive measures.

As part of the city’s Winter Action Plan, announced in September, 191 patrol teams have also been deployed to oversee the disposal of industrial waste. This action plan targets 21 key focus points to combat pollution, particularly during the winter months.

Despite the government’s actions, Delhi’s air quality remains in the “very poor” category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 352 on Wednesday, slightly down from earlier readings this week.
However, Delhi's air quality still ranked as the third worst in the country, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 32.6 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, warmer than usual for this time of the year. The weather office has predicted shallow fog in the morning and mist till November 12.