Since the BJP formed its government in the national capital after 27 years, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa says the party has initiated several steps towards improving the city's air quality and keeping pollution in check.
Since the BJP formed its government in the national capital after 27 years, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa says the party has initiated several steps towards improving the city's air quality and keeping pollution in check. In an interview with Agraj Pratap Singh of The Statesman, the 53-year-old senior BJP leader shares his vision for Delhi in terms of an improved pollution scenario, better waste disposal, and a clean environment to live in.
Q. Delhi's air quality often makes headlines, especially in winters when the AQI (air quality index) hits 'severe' levels. What is driving these spikes, and what are the new regime's initiatives towards preventing such a situation in the coming winters?
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A. The Delhi government has unveiled the Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2025, a blueprint for making the air clean. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's vision of a Clean, Green and a Healthy Delhi, the plan focuses on four key actions, including a plantation drive of 70 lakh saplings under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', cloud seeding to induce artificial rainfall, focus on innovation through initiatives like innovation challenge to counter vehicular pollution from older vehicles, stricter monitoring of construction and demolition waste sites to control PM 10 levels, round the year MRS and anti smog guns coupled with water sprinklers.
Q. Delhi'ites have been struggling with waste management for long. Can you walk us through your plan of action?
A. Delhi'ites have long suffered due to poor waste management and the ever-rising garbage mountains. After our government took charge, we made it a priority to tackle this legacy issue. We have adopted a time-bound, technology-driven approach. About 80.59 lakh MT of waste remains to be cleared from these mountains, and accordingly two phases of bio mining tenders covering 60 lakh MT have been awarded, and the third phase tender will be finalized by October 2025, to meet clearance target by 2028. To safeguard residents, we have strengthened health outreach and cut landfill fires. Okhla's two plants (3,950 TPD) already ensure no fresh waste reaches its dumpsite, while methane capture pilots will begin by 2026 alongside strict enforcement of waste segregation at source. Our approach is clear - no more cosmetic fixes, only sustainable solutions. Delhi deserves clean surroundings, and our mission is to ensure that within the next few years, these garbage mountains become like dinosaurs, a thing of the past.
Q. Stubble burning in the neighboring states is a recurring issue contributing to Delhi's pollution during peak season. How is the Delhi government going to address it this time?
A. While Delhi cannot control what happens beyond its borders, we have consistently taken proactive steps. For example, the bio-decomposer developed at Pusa institute, which turns stubble into manure at a very low cost. Our government is adopting a cooperative approach with neighboring states and the Centre. Delhi has already demonstrated success with this bio-decomposer, and we are ready to scale it up and share the technology with neighbouring states. We are also advocating for financial support and incentives for farmers so they adopt alternatives instead of burning stubble.
Q. You are planning to set up biomedical waste treatment plants. Can you please address the health concerns?
A. Biomedical waste is a serious concern for both public health and air quality. At present, our two half-acre units cannot be expected to handle the city's 40 MT daily load. That is why, we are setting up new biomedical waste plants that will not only increase capacity, but also bring in modern, environment-friendly technology fully compliant with national emission norms. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) is conducting a detailed study to identify suitable land, assess transport logistics, evaluate technology options, and put in place the necessary environmental safeguards. This will ensure that our new facilities are future-proof and sustainable. Additional plants were long overdue, and with these initiatives, Delhi is finally bridging legacy gaps with innovative solutions for a cleaner and healthier city.
Q. What are your plans in terms of curbing vehicular pollution in Delhi, as well as commercial effluents?
A. The Delhi government is taking several forward-looking steps to tackle pollution. Very soon, we will introduce a new policy for issuing PUC certificates to vehicles registered outside the city and ensuring stricter checks on vehicular emissions. Alongside this, we are expanding EV (electric vehicle) charging infrastructure, strengthening public transport, and setting up new air quality monitoring stations to keep a closer track on pollution levels. Our major focus is on innovation, and there are devices which, if installed in or outside a vehicle, can reduce pollution by more than what the vehicle emits. Together, these measures reflect our government's commitment to building a cleaner, greener, and healthier Delhi.
Q. You had initiated a pilot on installing catalytic converters to diesel generators and commercial vehicles. Throw some light on the concept and its effectiveness in bringing down emissions.
A. We are launching a pilot project to retrofit older BS3 and BS4 government vehicles with advanced catalytic converters. These devices can reduce particulate emissions by over 70 per cent, making them a powerful tool to clean Delhi's air while keeping essential transport functional. The project will be implemented in collaboration with ICAT or IIT Delhi, for testing and validation. Based on the results, the government will explore large-scale deployment of this technology across more vehicles. This pilot is both a trial and a statement of our vision - to deploy innovative, permanent solutions that safeguard public health and ensure sustainable mobility in Delhi.
Q. What is your take on ELVs and how is the government going to safeguard public interest in terms of private vehicles?
A. End-of-life vehicles (ELVs) are a growing concern for public health and the environment, if not managed properly. The Delhi government is committed to safeguarding public interest by ensuring that private vehicles are recycled and disposed of in a safe, environmentally-friendly manner. However, we believe that age should not be the only criteria in determining whether a vehicle is polluting or not. A well maintained vehicle may pollute far less than an ill-maintained one. Understanding this, we are working on proactive steps which leverage technology to solve this issue. Our approach balances citizen convenience, environmental protection, and public safety, making sure Delhi's roads remain safe and its air cleaner for everyone.
Q. Although we often talk about electric vehicles and clean fuels, only a small fraction of vehicles in Delhi are EVs. Your comment.
A. Recognizing this gap, our government is taking a multi-pronged approach to accelerate the adoption of cleaner mobility solutions. This includes expanding the EV charging infrastructure across the city, offering financial incentives for buyers, and integrating EVs more effectively into public transport fleets. We understand that hybrid technology, which reduces total fuel consumption, is something that may also be promoted at par with EVs. Beyond vehicles, our strategy focuses on building a sustainable transport ecosystem, which includes strengthening public transport networks, promoting cleaner fuels, and monitoring air quality in real time through new stations and technological interventions. Take DEVi buses for example, while the previous AAP government focused only on public appeasement by gimmicks, we have substantially increased the number of buses, with 800 electric buses already added, and we are planning to add another 5,000 by the end of this year.
Q. Recently you were in Norway to study waste disposal plant technology. Do you think it can be replicated in Delhi?
A. During my recent visit to Norway, I had the opportunity to study advanced e-waste disposal and processing technologies that have made European cities among the cleanest in the world. Our aim is to adapt these proven solutions to Delhi's context so that we can address the city's legacy waste challenges more efficiently and sustainably. E-waste has emerged as one of the fastest-growing waste streams in Delhi, and being a major consumption hub, the city generates nearly 1.52 lakh metric tonnes annually. This is a serious challenge because e-waste contains hazardous materials that can contaminate soil, water, and air if not handled properly, posing a direct threat to public health. To address this, our government has launched a dedicated 'E-Waste Initiative' for Delhi. The focus is on creating formal collection channels, recycling infrastructure, and safe dismantling facilities so that electronic waste does not end up in landfills or informal markets.