With Delhi figuring in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) latest list of the most polluted cities in the world, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on Wednesday asked the Centre to hold a meeting of Environment Ministers of the National Capital Region (NCR) in order to find a solution.
According to the WHO global database released on Wednesday morning, 14 of the 15 most polluted cities in the world in terms of PM2.5 levels from 2016 were in India and Delhi stood sixth on the list.
Citing the WHO report, Delhi Environment and Forest Minister Imran Hussain wrote to Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan, seeking a meeting of all NCR States’ Environment Ministers. He said though the governments had been making efforts to reduce air pollution, there was a need for more.
“Collectively as a team, the Environment Ministers of various States under your guidance have been making efforts to curb air pollution, but it is clear from the latest global data that we need an urgent and concrete nationwide plan to effectively counter this growing threat, which poses a major health challenge to the people of our country,” Mr. Hussain said.
He added that with the multiple agencies in Delhi, including the Delhi Development Authority, the municipal corporations and the Public Works Department, all taking part in the pollution-control programme, there were many issues that were “unresolved”.
Stubble burning
With Delhi’s air being adversely impacted by the dust and burning of crop residue in neighbouring States, there was a need for a coordination, he said.
“Needless to say, such phenomena can be effectively controlled by the active involvement of the neighbouring States surrounding Delhi,” he said.
Concerns over landfill
In another letter to the Union Minister, Mr. Hussain raised the issue of environmental concerns around a new landfill site allotted by the DDA to the East Delhi Municipal Corporation in Sonia Vihar. He said the issues of air pollution and water contamination from the new site needed to be addressed. He asked for a meeting with the Minister in connection with the matter.
