The Delhi government has launched the large-scale "Red Light On, Gaadi Off" campaign to curb rising air pollution in the city.

On Wednesday (October 21), environment marshals stationed at over 100 traffic signals across Delhi from 8 am to 8 pm urged urge drivers to switch off their ignition while waiting for the light to turn green.

The campaign will run until November 15 and is an awareness campaign that will not penalise drivers. Environment marshals will distribute roses to drivers and carry placards to create awareness. Volunteers said they had received a good response on the first day of the initiative.

According to local media, vehicles burn fuel at traffic signals for around 15-20 minutes every day.

Delhi has around 10 million registered vehicles.

At over 100 traffic signals across the city on Wednesday, the Delhi government’s transport department, environment marshals, and traffic police officials will urge drivers to switch off their ignition while waiting for the light to turn green. This is part of the government and the police’s ‘Red Light On, Gaadi Off’ (red light on, ignition off) campaign started to reduce vehicular emission.

The campaign is an attempt to reduce vehicular pollution. Delhi has around 10 million registered vehicles. Altogether, vehicles burn fuel at traffic signals for around 15-20 minutes every day. This campaign aims to stop fuel-burning signals. Volunteers have been deployed at 100 traffic signals from 8 am to 8 pm to spread awareness using placards and urging people to switch off their vehicles at the red lights,.

The campaign which started on October 21 will continue till November 15. This will be an awareness campaign and drivers will not be penalized for not turning off their engines. Environment marshals will hand roses to drivers and will stand carrying placards to create awareness. Civil defense volunteers said they had received a good response on the first day of the drive with people cooperating and turning their vehicle engines off at traffic signals.