‘Blueprint on tackling garbage, pollution soon’

In its first meeting on Monday, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal appointed inter-ministerial task force discussed ways to tackle the problems of air pollution and solid waste management in Delhi.

The task force will soon come up with a blueprint to deal with issue of garbage disposal and pollution in the city, health minister Satyendar Jain said.

On the government’s plan to bring in vacuum cleaners for cleaning dust in the city, Jain said, “The tender for it failed twice. We will soon issue a fresh tender.”

“Special emphasis was given on how to cure the burgeoning problem of the landfill sites in Delhi. Additionally, decentralisation of waste management was discussed,” a statement issued by the task force said.

The statement added that the task force also discussed measures to tackle the rise in Delhi’s air pollution during Diwali season. “Special emphasis was given on how to cure the burgeoning problem of the landfill sites in Delhi. Additionally, decentralisation of waste management was discussed. Innovative, low-cost and effective ideas to tackle air pollution were also discussed. Measures to tackle the rise in air pollution due to Diwali were also discussed,” the statement added. Mr Jain has now convened a meeting of all stakeholders on Wednesday to discuss the implementation of the action plan. Participants will include the three municipal corporations, New Delhi Municipal Council, Environment Department, Public Works Department and transport department.

The task force will submit its detailed recommendations to the Supreme Court.