Delhi Environment Minister On Air Quality Issue: 'Impossible To Get Rid Of 69% Outside Pollution Without Joint Action Plan'

Gopal Rai quoted a report published by the Centre for Science and Environment which based its report on the data released by an agency called SAFAR.

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New Delhi: The air quality in Delhi-NCR has severely deteriorated due to increasing pollution. The government has taken many steps to curb pollution. Meanwhile, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday said that no matter how hard they try, it is not possible to get rid of 69 per cent "outdoor pollution" without a joint action plan by the Centre and a monitoring team.

Rai quoted a report published by the Centre for Science and Environment which based its report on the data released by the Ministry of Earth Sciences' agency called System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

The minister claimed that as per the report published by Centre for Science and Environment, Delhi's contribution to air pollution is 31 per cent and the remaining 69 per cent of the pollution is from outside the national capital.

"As per CSE report on the basis of SAFAR data between October 24 and November 8, Delhi's contribution in air pollution is 31 per cent and the remaining 69 per cent of the pollution is from outside Delhi. The report matches 2016 TERI data which said 36 per cent pollution released from Delhi and 64 per cent from outside," Gopal Rai told news agency ANI.

"No matter how hard we try, not possible to get rid of 70 per cent outside pollution without a joint-action plan by the Centre and a monitoring team. Data establishes that contribution to Delhi pollution is largely from outside. Delhi people have been constantly attacked over pollution," he added.

Gopal Rai on Wednesday had announced 100 per cent work from home for the government departments till November 21 as an emergency measure to curb pollution.

Rai also announced that schools and other educational institutes will remain closed till further orders and demolition work and construction has also been completely stopped till November 21.

(With inputs from ANI)