New Delhi: Delhi Environment minister Gopal Rai said on Tuesday sought clarification from the center on its data on the contribution of stubble burning to the city’s air pollution. The data was presented by the center in the Supreme court on Monday during a hearing on Delhi’s pollution crisis.
“In its affidavit, the Centre mentioned both 4% and 35-40% stubble burning contribution in air pollution. It should be clarified...How can both be correct? I urge the Environment minister to verify (the data),” he said.
On Monday, the SC sought the Delhi government’s plan to tackle the pollution crisis faced by the city and ordered a meeting between Delhi and its neighbouring states. The meeting held on Tuesday was attended by officials from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh apart from other stakeholders.
In the meeting, the Delhi government “proposed that WFH should be implemented in NCR regions; construction work should be banned, industries should be shut too (in NCR),” Rai told ANI.
In order to deal with the crisis, the Delhi government has also extended its 'Red Light On, Gaadi Off’ campaign to curb air pollution by 15 days. The campaign which is ending on November 18 will now run into its second phase from November 19 to December 3.
The campaign was launched on October 18 and was supposed to run for a month till November 18. “'Red Light On, Gaadi Off' campaign (to curb vehicle pollution) which ends on November 18 will be extended by 15 days - The second phase from November 19 to December 3,” Rai said during a meeting to tackle Delhi’s pollution crisis.
The Delhi government has already ordered completely online classes for Delhi schools and work from home for all government offices for a week.