Ready to do everything for removing ‘Gas chamber’ state of Delhi: Harsh Vardhan

New Delhi, November 8: The Centre has appealed to Delhi and adjoining states to take effective steps for mitigating the levels of air pollution in NCR and bring them to acceptable levels. It has also requested Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments to implement the ban related to stubble burning in view of deteriorating air pollution.

He recalled that he had held several meetings with all the State Governments, including the Government of Delhi and the measures required to deal effectively with the issue of air pollution have been agreed upon and reviewed regularly at his level and highest levels in the concerned State Governments.

Harsh Vardhan also referred to the steps taken to involve people in management of air pollution through Clean Air Campaign this year. He said that every possible step required to tackle the situation has been already identified and the need of the hour was to put them into action at ground level, which will yield significant results.

Environment Minister also called for cost-effective measures since management of air pollution requires sustained action over a long period of time to be effective.

Referring to some media reports that Central Government has not supported the demand of the government of Delhi for sprinkling of water through helicopter, he said that it had already responded to the request and asked the State Government to examine cost-effectiveness of the measure vis-a-vis other simpler measures.

However, he said that if the Government of Delhi thought that sprinkling water through helicopter was the most cost effective measure, it was free to do so.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan assured the people that the Central Government shall do everything possible to bring about improvement in the air quality in Delhi and NCR.