The Delhi government on Thursday launched a new campaign, ‘Red Light On, Gaadi Off’, to reduce vehicular pollution in the national capital. The campaign encourages drivers to turn off their vehicles while waiting at red lights.
The campaign was launched by Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai, who said that vehicular pollution is a major contributor to Delhi’s air quality problems. “Even if drivers turn off their engines for just 10 seconds at red lights, it can make a big difference in reducing pollution,” Rai said.
The campaign will be implemented in two phases. In the first phase, civil defense volunteers will be deployed at 100 intersections across Delhi to educate drivers about the campaign and encourage them to turn off their engines. In the second phase, the campaign will be expanded to more intersections and will involve the participation of the general public.
The Delhi government has also launched a new website and mobile app for the campaign. The website and app provide information about the campaign, as well as tips on how to reduce vehicular pollution.
In a press statement, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, “Considering the rising levels of air pollution in Delhi, we have decided to reintroduce the ‘Red Light on Gaadi Off’ campaign. This is a simple yet effective way to reduce vehicular emissions and improve air quality.”
Rai added that the campaign will be implemented at 100 intersections across the city, with the help of civil defence volunteers and the general public. He appealed to all Delhiites to participate in the campaign and make a difference
Air quality in Delhi
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality in Delhi was “severe” on October 26, 2023. The PM2.5 level in the city was 450 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3), which is much higher than the safe limit of 60 µg/m3.
Vehicular emissions are a major source of air pollution in Delhi. The city has over 11 million registered vehicles. According to a study by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, vehicular emissions account for over 40% of the PM2.5 pollution in the city.
Turning off the engine at red lights can help to reduce vehicular emissions. According to a study by the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), turning off the engine at red lights for 30 seconds can save up to 0.3 liters of fuel and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 0.8 kg.
Has the Campaign Happened Before?
Yes, the ‘Red Light On, Gaadi Off’ campaign was first launched in Delhi in October 2020. The campaign was put on hold last year due to concerns over its effectiveness. However, the government has decided to relaunch the campaign this year after a recent data analysis showed a decrease in PM10 pollution and an increase in PM2.5 concentration due to biomass burning and vehicular emissions
What are the aims of launching the campaign ‘Red light on, gaadi off’ ?
The “Red Light On, Gaadi Off” campaign aims to reduce air pollution in Delhi by encouraging drivers to turn off their vehicles while waiting at traffic lights.
The campaign will be implemented by deploying 2,500 volunteers at around 100 intersections in the city.
The campaign was first launched in Delhi in 2020 and was successful in reducing air pollution levels by up to 10% in some areas.
The new campaign is expected to be more effective than the previous campaign due to the involvement of the traffic police and other measures.
The “Red Light On, Gaadi Off” campaign is a welcome step by the Delhi government to reduce air pollution in the city. However, it is important to note that the campaign will only be effective if drivers cooperate and turn off their engines at red lights. The government should also work to raise awareness of the campaign and educate drivers about the benefits of turning off their engines.