The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said various measures contributed to reduce pollution level in the national Capital by 25 per cent and this has become possible due to collective efforts of the Government and people, party national spokesperson Atishi said on Friday.
Atishi said that research was done by the 'Center for Science and Environment' (CSE) based on data provided by the 'Central Pollution Board'.
According to the report submitted after the research, the average of PM 2.5 was 154 between 2012 and 2014; it fell 25 per cent and became 115 in the three year period from 2016 to 2018.
"There are many reasons behind the reduction of the pollution in Delhi, such as diesel generators have become extinct from Delhi due to 24-hour availability of power and the movement of trucks has reduced in Delhi due to Eastern Western Peripheral Highway etc," she said.
The Delhi Government is working with the Central Government and Municipal Corporation to form new policies, she said, adding that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has also prepared a seven-point winter action plan to deal with this problem, under which he has made a provision to implement the Odd-Even policy from November 4 to November 15.
"Apart from the 10 months the pollution in Delhi rises to its peak in the months of November and December as witnessed in the last five years and the Delhi government wants to save the people from this pollution," she added.
The Government cannot stop the crop burning in the neighbouring states therefore Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had asked for public suggestions from Delhi residents to combat the pollution.
Following the suggestion, a provision has been made to organize a very big light and sound program on the Choti-Diwali so that entertainment takes place without any pollution. "There is also a provision to provide masks to the people of Delhi and combating local pollution sources in different areas with the help of marshals. All these steps are being taken to save the people of Delhi from pollution occurring in the months of November and December," she said.
Responding to the statements made by the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, Atishi said that some people living in our Delhi feel that because pollution has come down by 25 per cent, there is no need to do more to save the people of Delhi from pollution.
Expressing surprise on the statement made by MP and BJP Delhi unit president Manoj Tiwari, she said that Tiwari does not believe that there is any need to implement an odd-even scheme in Delhi
and it shows negative attitude of the BJP on the issue of pollution.
Atishi urged Tiwari to cooperate with the Delhi government in this campaign to save the people of Delhi because pollution affects everyone. "This is the campaign of the people of Delhi and all want to be part of this to take whatever possible measures to fight this pollution problem," she said.
Meanwhile party chief spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj said that according to a recent report of the World Economic Forum, seven of the world's 10 most polluted cities are Indian cities and all these seven states are being ruled by BJP.