DSIIDC Earmarks Rs 4.2 Crore for 3,000+ Heaters to Curb Winter Open Burning in Delhi

Officials say the CSR-funded push targets workers who would otherwise rely on biomass fires for warmth.

Overview

Delhi will procure more than 3,000 electric heaters for RWA staff, forest guards and unorganised industrial workers to discourage open fires in winter.
The Divisional Commissioner’s office will oversee implementation, with the Environment Department tasked with monitoring the campaign.
Senior officials from DSIIDC, the Environment Department and DPCC held a virtual meeting to set up needs assessment and a fair distribution plan ahead of the season.
The move follows limited compliance with past CAQM advisories, with a little over 350 RWAs reportedly providing heaters as of November last year.
Authorities cite source-apportionment findings linking biomass burning to winter pollution and position the rollout alongside intensified landfill biomining and waste-to-energy operations that have reduced fire incidents this year.