While Delhi witnessed ‘air emergency situation’ due to noxious air quality, a joint meeting is going to be held on Tuesday to discuss ways to reduce pollution in the national capital, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Monday.
“We have called a joint meeting of all the concerned authorities at the Secretariat on Tuesday at 12 pm - the Environment Department of the Delhi Government, DPCC, all MCDs, DDA, PWD, and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department. The aim of the meeting is to discuss newer, better measures and initiatives we can take to curb pollution levels in Delhi, and reduce its adverse impact on the health of the people of Delhi,” Rai said.
Delhi recorded average air quality at 372 micrograms per cubic, although stubble burning pollution share load in city air pollution reduced to 30 percent as per SAFAR. The monitoring agency said reports of farm fires were received at 400 places in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Rai, briefing media said discussions will be held on what steps can be taken to help the people of Delhi breathe better.
“Scientists say that the main reason behind increasing pollution is stubble burning in neighboring states, incidents of which only increasing and I have requested the Union Environment Minister to convene an emergency meeting so that the governments of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh take emergency steps to cut down on stubble burning,” Rai added and mentioned he inspected water sprinkling on the road to control dust pollution near the Supreme Court.
He also said that preparations in full swing for Chhath Puja festivities by the Delhi Government in a thousand localities all over the capital.
“Like every year, Chhath Puja celebrations will be facilitated by the Delhi Government in a thousand different localities in the capital. Preparations are in full swing: DMs are already working to organise tents, lighting, and camera work for the same. The Irrigation and Flood Control Department is ensuring proper digging of pits and the Jal Board is ensuring water supply. Strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines is being ensured as well, so that the people of Delhi can celebrate a grand Chhath Puja.”
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader also targeted Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) , mentioning Member of Parliament (MP) Parvesh Verma. “I recently saw on television that MP Parvesh Verma went down to the banks of the Yamuna to celebrate Chhath. He has perhaps never visited the site before. Earlier he was trying to put a stop to some Chhath Puja festivities in Dwarka where the public protested and drove him out, after which he ended up at the Yamuna Ghat. I think people of the BJP are flustered and anguished. The DDMA decisions are taken by the LG whose heart lies with the interests of the BJP.