RED LIGHT ON ENGINE OFF CAMPAIGN

Come November, and there comes pollution and smog in Delhi. The AQI goes into the category of very poor or severe, and this season is a cause of respiratory problems in the scores of Delhi residents. Though both the union government and the state governments try to take various measures to combat the menace of poor and bad air, the Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai again started the campaign of “Red Light on – Engine off” from Barakhamba chowk. Gulab Singh Yadav, the AAP MLA said, “The purpose of this campaign is to generate awareness amongst vehicle drivers that idle engine running contributes more to the pollution. Switching off the engine, not only helps in reducing pollution, it is a saving also for the vehicle owner in terms of less fuel consumption. I request everyone in Dwarka to keep this in mind and adhere to our pleas.” D K Garg, a resident of Sector-9 said, “This is a good initiative of the government. It will help reduce pollution due to emission from vehicles. People must be sensitive to everyone’s health.” R P Biswas, another resident from Sector-6 echoes, “This is commendable. Everyone must be sensitive towards the environment and pollution. But the Delhi government must come with some structural solutions to combat the menace of pollution. These are only short term knee jerk reactions” A K Mangla, a resident of Sector 22 echoes, “We have a lot of NGOs in Dwarka Sub City and they should come forward and campaign along with the Delhi Government to combat the pollution. An interaction program with RWA representatives can be organized to discuss the solution and also how to involve the residents/ students to be a part of curbing the pollution.”