The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will run 40 more trips on weekdays in a bid to reduce air pollution, an official said on Wednesday.
The increased capacity is aimed at encouraging commuters to choose the metro and leave their vehicles.
According to a statement, DMRC Executive Director Dr. Vikas Kumar, along with civil and environment department officials, inspected the Ashok Vihar and Derawal Nagar areas of north Delhi along the under-construction Krishna Park Extension – RK Ashram Marg corridor to review dust minimization efforts.
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Kumar said the carrier may further extend the journeys to 60 in case GRAP-III is implemented.
DMRC said it sprinkles water on construction and demolition sites and ensures safe disposal of waste material to curb air pollution.
It has been ordered to wash the wheels before the vehicles leave these places, he added. Anti-smog weapons were deployed at all such active locations in accordance with the order.
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According to DMRC, it was among the first construction agencies in the National Capital Region to introduce anti-smog guns even before their use became mandatory.
Currently, approximately 82 such machines are in operation at its project sites, with more to be added as needed.
DMRC has also undertaken a number of long-term environmental initiatives.
During the construction of Phase IV underground stations at Ghanta Ghar and Pul Bangash, dewatered water was piped into the Roshanara Bagh lake, resulting in its rejuvenation, the company said.
It said its Blue Line, connecting Yamuna Bank to Vaishali in Ghaziabad, and DMRC’s corporate headquarters at Metro Bhawan have both been declared carbon neutral.
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Using the Miyawaki method of dense urban plantation, over 12,500 saplings were planted in around 1.2 acres near Najafgarh Metro Station and Metro Niketan Residential Colony.
A study conducted by the Institute of Energy and Resources on “Socio-Economic Benefits of Delhi Metro” highlighted the environmental and social impact of the network.
The study found that by 2024, the Delhi Metro has helped keep more than 6.4 lakh vehicles off the roads every day, resulting in an annual reduction of 4,026 million vehicle kilometres.
It also resulted in a reduction in fuel consumption of approximately 3.11 million tons per year and nearly 9.52 million tons of pollutants per year, along with savings of approximately 337 million passenger hours per year.
The report also highlighted that metro operations helped prevent 14 fatal accidents and 60 total accidents during the year.
Delhi is AQI today
Delhi breathed slightly better on Wednesday as pollution levels eased marginally; however, air quality continued to remain in the “poor” range with an AQI of 279, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
According to the 24-hour average recorded by the CPCB, the city’s AQI stood at 279 on Wednesday compared to 294 on Tuesday. On Monday, the AQI was 301, falling into the “very poor” category.
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Despite the slight improvement, several parts of the capital continued to show the highest levels of pollution. Wazirpur (347), Vivek Vihar (339), Rohini (337) and Anand Vihar (331) were among 19 of the city’s 38 monitoring stations that reported AQI in the “very poor” range with readings above 300, data from CPCB’s Sameer app showed.
Key things
- The introduction of 40 extra metro journeys aims to encourage commuters to use public transport instead of private vehicles.
- DMRC’s long-standing initiatives include the deployment of anti-smog guns and sustainable construction practices to minimize environmental impact.
- The Delhi Metro has a proven track record of reducing vehicle traffic and pollutants, significantly improving air quality.
