Air quality in Delhi hit its lowest level in eight months today. (File)
New Delhi:
The Center has taken a series of measures over the past six years to reduce pollution, the Environment Ministry said today, after Delhi Chief Deputy Minister Manish Sisodia accused the government of the Union of its “inaction on the matter”.
Reacting to Mr Sisodia’s attack as air quality in Delhi entered the “red” zone, the ministry said the government believed in work to eliminate air pollution.
“The central government believes in working to end pollution. The government has taken various air pollution control initiatives over the past six years, including the construction of the eastern and western ring roads, which reduced pollution by preventing 60,000 heavy vehicles (trucks) from being destroyed. passing through Delhi every day, ”ministry spokesman Gaurav Khare said.
Earlier today, Sisodia said all of northern India should pay for its “inaction on the issue of air pollution”.
“Pollution and stubble burning are not only problems for Delhi, but it affects the whole of northern India. It is unfortunate that the central government did not take any action during the year and now the whole country is going to pay for it. », Declared party leader Aam Aadmi (AAP).
Responding to his allegations, Khare said the Environment Ministry shut down the Badarpur power plant, which directly reduced pollution, and introduced BS-VI compliant vehicles and fuel with a investment of Rs 65,000 crore, which significantly reduced vehicle pollution. .
“Stubble cutting machines worth Rs 1,400 crore have been provided to farmers in Punjab and Haryana and this has reduced pollution from the burning of trees by about 15% and 20%, respectively. stubble, ”he said.
Listing all the actions taken by the Center in this regard, Mr. Khare said that zigzag technology in 2800 klins of brick in the National Capital Region (NCR) has been introduced, resulting in less pollution, 2600 industries in the NCR have been piped to natural gas (PNG), construction and demolition waste management rules, first introduced in 2016, have reduced dust pollution and reduced hundreds of dust collectors and Sprinkler vehicles were provided by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
Delhi’s air quality hit an eight-month low and was recorded just a notch above the “very bad” category on Tuesday.
The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) hit “very bad” levels in the morning and stood at 306 by 11 am. Subsequently, pollution levels decreased slightly due to an improvement in the ventilation index.
An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “average”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very bad” and 401 and 500 “serious”.
“The development of strong surface level inversion and sudden local calm wind conditions at the surface led to a low ventilation coefficient and a buildup of pollutants near the surface,” the Research System said. and air quality and weather forecasting (SAFAR).
About 675 farm fires were seen in the Punjab, Haryana and other border areas of the nation’s capital on Monday, but the wind direction was not favorable for the transport of pollutants. Therefore, only a marginal contribution to Delhi’s PM2.5 concentration is expected, SAFAR said.
(Except for the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)
