Delhi govt to submit action plan on pollution, garbage to SC

New Delhi : The Delhi Government will soon submit an action plan to tackle rising air pollution and garbage issues in the Supreme Court, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal directing his ministers to treat the court’s order on the matter as a “blessing in disguise” to solve the problem. Sources said the Delhi Chief Minister has also asked his Cabinet colleagues to flag “bottlenecks” in the plan as there are multiple agencies in the capital to deal with such issues.

In a meeting with ministers, Kejriwal said that “positive steps” like odd-even scheme to curb air pollution can only be successful if supportive measures are taken before.

“The CM has directed his ministers to treat the SC’s observation about air pollution and garbage issues as an opportunity and a blessing in disguise to solve these problems.

“He has told his Cabinet colleagues that a practical plan be prepared to deal with rising air pollution and solid waste management at the earliest for the implementation,” the sources said.

They also said that though the Chief Minister stated that maintaining cleanliness is a mandatory function of municipal corporations, the government should be ready to present an action plan to the court and also bottlenecks if any.

“There are some issues between MCD and DDA. Municipal corporations often say that DDA is not providing land for new landfill sites in Delhi.

“Government wants permanent solutions between multiple agencies so that people don’t have to face any problem,” they further said.

Terming Delhi’s garbage problem as alarming, the Supreme Court on Friday asked all authorities concerned, including the AAP government, to devise a scheme for its timely disposal.

PTI