Piecemeal efforts can't bring down airpollution: Kejriwal

A 14-day campaign launched today to curb air pollution in the city is "not a permanent" solution, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, suggesting that sustained joint efforts were needed to deal with the problem.
Piecemeal efforts cannot bring down airpollution in Delhi and a "round-the-year study" onpollution levels is needed, he said.
The city government is mulling procuring international machines that accurately tell the cause of highpollution on a particular day, Kejriwal added.
Launching the "Clean Air Campaign" along with the Delhi chief minister, Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan hoped it would not be a "symbolic" one.
He said it would be continued throughout the year and the experience gained from it would be used across the country.

The leaders rolled out a mobile application at the launch of the campaign, which will continue tillFebruary 23.

"We welcomed the initiative when the Union minister approached us. Though the campaign is a good thing and creates awareness, it is not a permanent solution.
"Like we implemented the odd-even scheme for 15 days ... During the period there was less traffic and less pollution in the air. But it cannot be implemented permanently," Kejriwal said.
The Centre had earlier played down the impact of the Delhi governments odd-even rationing scheme on air pollution, saying a single factor or action cannot substantially reduce pollution levels in the national capital.

Calling the campaign, a joint initiative of the BJP-led Centre and the Delhi government, an "effort beyond politics", Kejriwal said the move sent a "big political message".
"It should have happened long back for the welfare ofthe people," he said, adding the programme must be emulated byall other departments to solve various issues.
Kejriwal batted for a "round-the-year study" onpollution levels in Delhi, saying pollution is dynamic innature and reasons contributing to it change everyday.
"Besides, we are mulling procuring international machines that accurately tell us what is leading to highpollution on a particular day, be it dust or fire. If wefigure out such sources, we can set priorities accordingly,"he said, adding the issue of air pollution deservedparticipation of all government departments.

Vardhan said the Centre is committed to mitigating air pollution.
The Union minister stressed the need to use technology to combat pollution and urged people to make the campaign a social and national movement.
"We must take the example of this campaign of Delhi to the entire nation. People must realise their Green Social Responsibility," he said.
Under the campaign, 70 teams comprising government officials would be deputed to monitor causes of pollution in the city and initiate remedial measures, including penal action against serious polluters on the spot.
It will also focus on mitigating dust pollution as Delhi generates 131 tonnes of dust every day, and controlling it itself would bring down air pollution drastically.

The programme will include enforcement of pollution- control measures for vehicles, driving discipline, inspection of power plants in Delhi, etc.
Local area development plans to specifically address air pollution will also be worked at and implemented.
A control room will be set up at the Central Pollution Control Board to monitor the daily progress, which will be shared with the Union and state governments.