Javadekar holds meet on pollution with NCR states

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Saturday held a meeting to review air pollution mitigation efforts in Delhi-NCR with the state governments of the region.

The meeting was attended by Delhi Environment Minister Kailash Gahlot, Environment Secretary C.K. Mishra and S.p. SIngh, Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Senior officials from the state governments of Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab also attended the meeting.

Javadekar said that the officials of five states attended the meeting and this practice had been initiated since 2015 to review pollution control efforts with the states. Javadekar said such meetings will be held every month to review the measures undertaken to curb air pollution.

He said that following the Supreme Court judgement on air pollution, an action plan will be framed which will be acted upon sincerely.

The minister said that stubble burning share of Delhi pollution, which had gone up to 30-35 per cent last week, has come down to 3-4 per cent.

However, waste burning, vehicle emissions and dust constituted around 70-80 per cent of the pollution in Delhi and due to its geographical location, the pollutants were not able to disperse, thereby causing a pollution cloud.

Javadekar said he was confident that people will get relief from high pollution levels as several measures were kicking in, including BS-VI vehicles from April 1, which will reduce emissions, opening of the peripheral expressways that will see 60,000 trucks avoid entering Delhi and bio-methanisation of waste. In addition, industries converting to PNG will also help curb pollution.

The Delhi government also gave details of the steps it took, which Javadekar said will be studied by the ministry officials.

All the big cities in the world have pollution issues, but Delhi's problems were unique and will be addressed, Javadekar said.

( With inputs from IANS )