What are the various measures taken by the Indian government to curb the pollution crisis in Delhi

Explain the steps taken by the Indian government to tackle the air pollution crisis in Delhi, and evaluate their effectiveness in reducing pollution levels.
The Indian government has taken several measures to tackle the air pollution crisis in Delhi:
  • Graded Response Action Plan: The Delhi government, in collaboration with the Central Pollution Control Board, has implemented a Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) that lists out measures to be taken based on the severity of pollution levels in the city.
  • Odd-Even Scheme: The government has also implemented an odd-even scheme for private vehicles, wherein vehicles with odd-numbered registration plates are allowed to run on odd dates, and those with even-numbered registration plates are allowed on even dates.
  • Ban on firecrackers: The government has imposed a ban on the use of firecrackers during Diwali, which is notorious for increasing pollution levels.
  • Construction regulations: The government has mandated strict regulations on construction and demolition activities in the city to reduce the amount of dust generated.
  • Promotion of public transport: The government has encouraged the use of public transport such as buses, metro, and bicycles by providing subsidies and increasing the number of buses and metro trains.
  • Afforestation drives: The government has also launched afforestation drives in and around Delhi to increase the green cover and improve air quality.
While these measures have shown some positive effects, the effectiveness of their long-term impact on pollution levels is yet to be evaluated.
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