New Delhi: Delhi govt plans to intensify efforts across seven key domains to combat pollution in the city. The initiatives include developing paved and green pathways, constructing walkways and creating open spaces along rights-of-way for all roads. The central govt, at a meeting in Oct, chalked out these seven areas and urged state govt to ensure that pollution is reduced.

The strategy encompasses proper management of construction and demolition waste, efficient handling of daily municipal solid waste, and addressing legacy waste issues. Additionally, govt aims to expedite the acquisition of cleaner public transport whilst targeting the removal of 50 lakh old vehicles.

A senior official of Delhi govt said that to recycle 100% of construction and demolition waste generated in the city by next year, MCD had started working on its fifth C&D processing unit project in Tehkhand. This new facility will have the capacity to recycle 1,000 tonnes of waste per day.

He said govt was also exploring the option of constructing more green walkways in the city. Officials said that to tackle the legacy waste issue, MCD was contemplating giving permission to the existing agency to biomine an additional 15 lakh MT of legacy waste at Okhla landfill by next month.

MCD intends to biomine 30 lakh MT of waste each from Ghazipur and Bhalswa landfills. The civic body started the first phase of biomining at three locations in 2019, following a directive by National Green Tribunal. Biomining is the scientific process of excavation, treatment, segregation and gainful utilisation of aged municipal solid waste lying in dumpsites typically referred to as legacy waste.

Another official said govt had expedited the process of purchasing new buses. Delhi will have 10,500 buses by next year, of which 80% will be electric. The number of buses in Delhi at present is around 7,600, including govt-run DTC and cluster bus service, which Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System Limited (DIMTS) manages. The service is monitored by govt.

Another official said govt had already started a drive to impound overaged vehicles. Delhi Transport Department impounded more than 1,200 overage vehicles in a drive launched last month. Also, govt has started a scheme to encourage people to scrap their old vehicles under which they get a discount. Under this scheme, buyers of new vehicles who opt to scrap their old ones are eligible for a tax rebate of 10-20%.