Delhi's Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Thursday participated in India TV's Pollution Ka Solution Conclave, where he raised pressing concerns over the rising pollution levels in the national capital. Speaking at the event, he underlined the major issues fueling Delhi's air quality crisis and emphasised the urgency of coordinated action. Sirsa also revealed that the Delhi government has constituted a dedicated expert committee to study the capital's pollution patterns and recommend actionable solutions. He stressed that addressing pollution requires sustained intervention, scientific assessment, and a clear roadmap.
Speaking further, Manjinder Singh Sirsa laid out a detailed action plan to tackle the capital's pollution crisis. He highlighted ongoing initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, and the need for collective public participation to bring down pollution levels substantially by 2027.
Smart traffic system at 62 hotspots
Sirsa said the government has identified 62 major pollution hotspots across Delhi, where smart traffic management systems are being deployed to reduce vehicular congestion. He emphasised that easing traffic flow is crucial for lowering vehicular emissions, which remain one of the biggest contributors to Delhi's deteriorating air quality.
11-member expert committee formed
The minister informed the audience that the Delhi government has set up an 11-member committee comprising experts from IIT to guide long-term pollution mitigation strategies. This committee will study real-time challenges, recommend science-based interventions, and help implement sustainable solutions.
3,350 electric buses ordered
Sirsa announced that the government has placed an order for 3,350 electric buses to boost Delhi's green mobility fleet. He added that Delhi is working closely with private aggregators to strengthen the last-mile connectivity of Metro stations. "Today, 35 lakh people travel by Metro every day. If we improve last-mile connectivity, pollution can be controlled significantly," he added.
According to Sirsa, the government has issued notices to 88 companies found responsible for contributing to industrial pollution in various parts of the city. Strict monitoring and compliance checks are being intensified to ensure accountability.
'Stubble burning is not the primary reason'
Speaking on the issue of stubble burning, Sirsa said, "There is pollution in Delhi even without stubble burning. Stubble is not the core reason for pollution. Farmers in Punjab also do not want to spread pollution in Delhi by burning crop residue. Our priority is to clean Delhi first and then discuss stubble burning."
The minister pointed out that his government inherited a city in poor condition. "Delhi was handed over to us in a very bad state. We found mountains of garbage left behind by the previous AAP government. We inherited 202 acres filled with waste, which became a massive challenge for us," he said. Sirsa stressed the need to reduce vehicular pollution, promote electric vehicles, and continue round-the-clock efforts to make Delhi cleaner. He added that improving the city's environment will also boost economic activity. Sirsa also stressed that the Delhi government cannot fight pollution alone. He urged residents to show responsibility and support ongoing efforts to improve the city's air quality.
Major targets set for 2027
The minister announced that the government plans to complete end-to-end road carpeting as part of its pollution mitigation strategy by 2027. He assured that Delhi will witness large-scale pollution reduction well before the government’s term ends. "We will fulfil our promises on pollution control within our tenure. We will not see garbage mountains next year for sure...Next year, Delhi's AQI will be better than this year," he said confidently.