Expressing anxiety over dangerously unhealthy air quality levels in the National Capital Region (NCR) and northern region, apex industry body ASSOCHAM on Wednesday urged the Centre and Governments of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh (UP) to establish a clear strategy for aggressively tackling air pollution.
“Different Ministries, departments as well as universities, research institutions and organisations alike must come together and also engage top-tier professionals to chart out a systematic, clear timetable and roadmap for tackling air pollution and curbing its causes thereby improving Delhi’s air quality,” said ASSOCHAM in a SOS message sent to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) along with Government of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and UP.
ASSOCHAM secretary general DS Rawat said that increasing air pollution can take a toll on urban economy by cutting short lifespan of people thereby increasing healthcare costs to the Government, drive away top executives and talented people to other cities with better air quality thereby negatively affecting
Delhi’s ability to attract highly-skilled expatriates, severely impact inflow of investments and hit sectors like tourism, hospitality, outdoor recreation and others.