As a layer of haze continued to cover the national capital on Friday and the air quality was recorded in the ‘severe’ category in several parts of the city, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has sought the Central Government’s intervention to curb the pollution.
Rai went on to say that the issue of pollution persists not only in Delhi but throughout north India and cannot be resolved unless the national capital becomes active. “This situation is persisting in all of north India. Besides Delhi, Haryana is showing severe category air quality in 12 districts… There are 14 such locations in Rajasthan. There are several districts in western Uttar Pradesh where there is a similar situation,” he said on Friday.
He further requested Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav to hold a meeting with environment ministers of states to address the issue of air pollution. “In Delhi, we formed a special team yesterday for the strict implementation of GRAP regulations… I think this is a problem for the entire north of India. It can’t be resolved if only Delhi becomes active. I think it is time for the Central Government to intervene. I also request the Union Environment Minister to conduct a meeting of Environment Ministers,” Rai added.
Earlier on Thursday, Rai said that a 6-member special task force has been formed under the leadership of the Environment Special Secretary for proper implementation and monitoring of GRAP rules.
“The task force includes the Special Commissioner of Transport, DCP (HQ) Traffic Police, Deputy Commissioner, Revenue (HQ), Chief Engineers of MCD, and PWD. However, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data recorded at 8 am on Friday, the air quality in RK Puram was recorded at 461, it was at 454 at New Moti Bagh, 465 at the IGI Airport area and 475 at Nehru Nagar, all in the severe category.
