Delhi: In a renewed push to tackle Delhi’s winter pollution, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday unveiled a large-scale initiative to distribute 10,000 electric heaters to Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), aiming to eliminate the widespread practice of burning wood and coal by watchmen during the cold months.
Announcing the programme, the Chief Minister emphasised that genuine progress in air quality improvement depends on collective participation. “The participation of citizens and communities is the most important in this mission to clean the air. In the same vein, today a large number of RWAs are being distributed electric heaters so that the need to light bonfires in the winter season is reduced and effective control can be exercised over pollution caused by smoke,” she wrote on X.
Speaking to reporters, Gupta said the effort fits into the government’s broader campaign against sources of localised emissions. “In Delhi’s ongoing battle against pollution, this is another positive step by the Delhi government. To reduce the pollution caused by burning wood and coal, we have launched a new initiative where we will distribute 10,000 heaters to RWAs through CSR support.”
The Chief Minister stressed the need for community vigilance to ensure cleaner neighbourhoods. “We aim to ensure that in no block or locality do watchmen or residents burn wood or coal, which contributes to pollution. We hope to make all RWAs aware and motivate them to ensure that no wood or coal is burned in their areas. By providing electric heaters, we want to support our watchmen and offer them a cleaner alternative, helping reduce pollution across Delhi,” she said at the launch event held at Dilli Haat, Pitampura.
Addressing RWA representatives, Gupta highlighted the practical benefits of the initiative. “While open fires increase pollution, electric heaters provide a safe, clean, and practical alternative. This small step can also prove to be a major help in pollution control.”
She reiterated that her administration continues to work in mission mode to curb pollution across the capital. The government, she said, is prioritising everything from waste management to urban greenery. “Mountains of garbage are continuously decreasing, cleanliness and tree plantation campaigns are ongoing without interruption, road water sprinkling and mechanical sweeping have been made more effective,” Gupta noted.
She added that smog towers, checks on polluting vehicles and industries, and other monitoring systems are being strengthened daily. Pollution control, she said, remains “our resolve, our responsibility, and our priority.”
Calling for a citywide effort, the Chief Minister said, “The participation of all of us is the most effective means of success in this battle against pollution.”
