Prakash Javadekar claimed that stubble burning is not a major factor in air pollution in Delhi
New Delhi:
Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar today called 50 inspection teams from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for field visits to Delhi-NCR to monitor hot spots pollution during the winter season and urged the government of Punjab to curb stubble burning.
He said thatch burning, however, is not a major contributor to air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
“Only 4 percent of the pollution is from stubble burning. Ninety-six percent is due to local factors such as biomass burning, garbage dumping, unpaved roads, dust, construction and demolition activities, etc., “he told reporters. residence in Delhi.
Mr Javadekar said his throat was choked with smoke from burning crop residue during a recent visit to Ludhiana.
“I call on the government of Punjab to take action and stop the stubble burning. I went to a program in Ludhiana last year. On the way back, my throat choked with the smoke from the burning thatch even when I was in the air. It harms everyone, including the people who live there. The government of Punjab should make sure that there is not a lot of thatch this time around, ”the minister said.
Speaking to the nodal managers of the CPCB teams, he said: “You will work for the next two months and take note of all activities and complaints. You will inspect all factors. You have the right to file a report on your observations. and strict action will be taken. “
He said: “The way the corona warriors are appreciated, you (CPCB officials) are all pollution warriors and we appreciate you very much. We will meet after two months.”
The minister declared that if on one side there is thatch, on the other there is waste burned by the public and “even by the karamchaaris”.
“We also need to watch this,” he said.
Mr Javadekar urged people to avoid congested routes and to opt for other routes even if they are longer.
“I call on people not to go to already congested areas and to take longer routes. Use bicycles for nearby work, ”he said.
The 50 CPCB teams will conduct extensive field visits from October 15 to February 28 next year and will focus on hot spots where air pollution is worsened, the environment ministry said.
They will visit the cities of Delhi and the NCR Noida, Ghaziabad, Meerut in Uttar Pradesh; Gurugram, Faridabad, Ballabgarh, Jhajjar, Panipat, Sonepat in Haryana; and Bhiwadi, Alwar, Bharatpur in Rajasthan.
(Except for the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)
