New Delhi Nov 19 PTI To reduce vehicular pollution in the national capital the Delhi government on Friday started the second phase of its fortnight-long Red Light On Gadi Off campaign at 100 crossings in the cityDelhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday visited ITO crossing and appealed to public to extend their support to make successful the fight against pollution The campaign was started on October 18 and was to end on November 18 but seeing the spike in pollution levels the government has decided to start the second phase of the campaign from FridayRai said that different researches have shown that nearly 30 per cent of pollution in Delhi is due to its internal sources in which vehicular emissions are major contributorsHe said that everyday one person on an average burns fuel for 20-25 minutes at traffic junctions throughout the day This is wastage and also major source of pollutionThe main aim of the Red Light On Gadi Off campaign is to reduce vehicular pollution in the city We have now decided to extend this campaign for 15 days from today and continue till December 3 Rai told reporters at ITO crossing He requested the public to participate actively in the campaign and fight against pollution Rai said that the Delhi government has been taking all necessary steps to control pollution in the city These steps include ban on entry of trucks except for those carrying essential goods 100 per cent work from home for all government employees among others Responding to the central governments move to repeal the contentious three farm laws Rai said that it is a victory of farmers and their movement This is a big victory of farmers movement The central government should not only formally take back these laws in next parliament session but also make law on the MSP minimum support price for farmers benefit Rai said PTI AKM KJ

New Delhi Oct 22 PTI The Delhi Pollution Control Committee DPCC on Friday signed an MoU with IIT Kanpur for a study on real-time apportionment of pollutants for effective management of pollution in the city Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Friday The minister said that the duration of the study will be of 23 monthsHe said that it will be the first-of-its-kind effort to understand the source of pollution on real-time basis Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur had made a presentation before Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in February All modalities have been completed and a memorandum of understanding MoU has been signed with IIT-Kanpur for real-time apportionment of pollutants study A report will be submitted after the study and the government will find the solution accordingly Rai said in a press conference He said there are many studies available but the real-time source of pollution in Delhi is not accurately known Rai said this study will help find solution to this situationThe move was approved by the Delhi Cabinet earlier this month According to officials of the environment department the Rs 12-crore project will help identify the factors responsible for increase in air pollution at any spot in Delhi such as vehicles dust biomass burning stubble burning and emissions from industriesA mobile laboratory equipped with instruments will scour various areas in Delhi There will be a supersite where data will be collected and interpreted for necessary action officials saidBased on the results obtained the Delhi government will be able to take the necessary actions to curb the sources of pollution Rai said PTI AKM KJ