Delhi elections 2015: Clean power, alternative energy & low emissions are AAP's prorities

In the second part of TOI's series featuring the action plan of political parties contesting the Delhi assembly elections for dealing with the air pollution in the city, Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson Atishi Marlena unveils its roadmap. AAP is calling for a holistic solution.
Aam Aadmi Party believes an environ mental policy should seek to bolster growth and development by promoting public good. This can be done by applying principles of ecological sustainability, social justice and inter-generational equity . It shouldn't be piecemeal legislation or an afterthought but part of the main framework for growth and development. Our 70-point manifesto reflects this thought as we seek to treat Delhi's intractable air pollution problem.
For example, consider our electricity policy. AAP will provide cheap power to Delhi by fixing billing and meter defects, improve transmission and conduct a discom audit. However, we want to provide Delhi with clean electricity too. The AAP government will bid for clean power from Bhakra N a n g a l hyd r o p owe r plant, overhaul or revamp the polluting and vamp the polluting and non-functional Rajghat power plant, and bring the Bawana power plant to full utilization. Transformation in Delhi's power generation composition will reduce air pollution.

Further, AAP will facilitate a phased shift to renewable and alternative sources of energy .

Incentives will be given to households, housing societies, enterprise and industry to gradually switch over to renewable energy . We are com mitted to ensuring that 20% of Delhi's energy needs are met through solar power by 2025.

A recent Yale University study termed University study termed Delhi the most polluted city, especially on PM and SPM metrics. To correct this, the Delhi Ridge, the lung of the city, will be protected from encroach ment and deforestation.

Environmentally-appro priate afforestation would be carried out. We will acquire mechanized vac uum cleaning vehicles to clean the city's dirt.

The government will encourage car-pooling, ensure adherence to the highest fuel emissions standards, promote low emission fuels like CNG and increase research on electricity as a fuel to im prove our transport infra structure. Most impor structure. Most importantly, public transport and last-mile connectivity will be radically improved to reduce the number of cars on the road. A good city is not one where the poor have cars but where the rich use public transport