With farmers in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Western Uttar Pradesh burning the farm stubble, Delhi stares at yet another winter laden with pollutants in its air. Realising the gravity of the pandemic knocking at the door of the national Capital, the Delhi Government on Friday took stock of the situation.
Authorities are apparently on their toes to deal with the upcoming menace with Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain sharing real-time photographs of unabated stubble burning at various locations in Haryana and Punjab along the Delhi Chandigarh National Highway.
In my view such an unpleasant situation was preventable and if the Centre and these state governments wake up even now, northern India can still be saved from disastrous consequences of air pollution in coming days, said the Minister.
Adverse ambient air quality conditions affect the health and well-being of the people of Delhi especially the children, old people, pregnant women, lactating mothers and people affected with respiratory and heart ailments, he said.
The national Capital each year had to face the alarming pollution level and is engulfed by a thick blanket of smog which is mainly the outcome of stubble burning in neighbouring States.
The smog makes life miserable for Delhiites who have to “breath heavy” and “drive carefully” almost all throughout the winter. Each year, the grim situation emerge as “bone of contention” between the Delhi Government and the Governments of adjoining States, with former asking the later to put tap on stubble burning, but without much avail.
Environment Minister assert that the photographs are the evidence that prove that the stubble burning in the neighbouring States is the root-cause of the whole problem Delhi had to face each year in winter.
“It is a matter of deep concern that when such instances are visible even on the National Highway, what might be the situation in other areas of these States,” asked Hussain. Adding the situation clearly indicates that stubble burning is widespread in the neighboring States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Sounding the alarm bells, the Delhi’s Environment Minister put onus on both the Central and the respective States Governments saying they have not taken up the issue seriously despite of repeated request from the Delhi Government. Calling to take immediate and urgent steps, to save Delhi’ air from the upcoming disaster.
He said farmers are burning the agricultural residue as they have not been adequately incentivised. Saying that farmers of neighbouring State find it more convenient and cheaper to pay fines for the stubble burning instead of taking measures needed for avoiding such burning.