In a bid to tackle the alarming levels of air pollution plaguing Delhi, especially during the winter months, the city’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, launched the ‘Red Light On, Gaadi Off’ campaign on Monday, October 21st. This awareness campaign is a simple yet powerful initiative aimed at curbing vehicular emissions, a significant contributor to Delhi’s notorious smog.
The campaign, which kicked off at the ITO crossing in Delhi, encourages drivers to turn off their vehicle engines while waiting at red lights or traffic signals. This seemingly small act can collectively have a significant impact on reducing harmful emissions, particularly during periods when pollution levels spike drastically.
The launch came just a day after the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi remained in the ‘poor’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). With winter approaching, pollution levels are expected to escalate further, emphasizing the urgent need for proactive measures.
During the campaign launch, Rai highlighted the rising pollution levels, especially during winter months, and stressed the need for immediate action. He emphasized that Delhiites were suffering more from pollution originating outside the city than from pollution within its boundaries.
He pointed out that stubble burning, a major contributor to air pollution, was on the rise in neighboring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, while it was declining in Punjab, which is governed by the AAP. Rai urged the BJP governments in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to take immediate action to curb stubble burning, highlighting that Delhi was already taking steps to reduce pollution from its own vehicles, including running CNG and electric buses.
‘We appeal to the BJP governments and leaders to stop stubble burning incidents in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Yesterday, I visited Anand Vihar [at Delhi-UP border], where I saw many diesel-run buses. While, in Delhi, we are running CNG and electric buses. We appeal to BJP governments to cooperate with Delhi,’ Rai said.
The ‘Red Light On, Gaadi Off’ campaign marks a proactive approach by the Delhi government to combat pollution. The campaign is expected to run for a month, urging citizens to actively participate in reducing emissions and contributing to a cleaner environment. The campaign is a reminder of the collective responsibility we all share in tackling the environmental challenges facing our cities.