Delhi Air Pollution: The pollution situation in Delhi continues to worsen daily, pushing air quality to dangerous levels. Over the past few days, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the Delhi NCR region has consistently remained above 400. On Tuesday, AQI crossed 500 in many areas. Amid this escalating crisis, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai renewed his call to the Central government on Tuesday to convene an emergency meeting to address the issue.
Rai emphasized the urgent need for measures, including artificial rain, to counter the pollution spike, and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to step in personally, citing a moral responsibility to act.
Repeated Pleas for Artificial Rain Unanswered
Speaking to the media, Gopal Rai disclosed that the Delhi government had already requested the Center's permission to deploy artificial rain as a pollution-reducing measure. This request has been made multiple times, but according to Rai, there has been no response or action from the Central government thus far.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, Rai stated that he plans to write yet another letter to Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav to reinforce the urgency of the matter. He also asserted that PM Modi has a moral duty to intervene, given the health hazards faced by Delhi’s residents.
GRAP-4 Implementation Fails to Yield Sufficient Results
The Delhi government has already enforced a range of pollution control measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) at level 4, which is the highest level in this framework. GRAP-4 imposes several restrictions designed to curb pollution sources in the capital. These restrictions include bans on the entry of private vehicles and trucks into Delhi to reduce traffic-related pollution and stricter checks on industrial emissions.
Despite these extensive measures, the efforts have not been effective enough to bring pollution levels under control. "GRAP-4 restrictions are in effect and we are making every possible effort to curb pollution from vehicles and industries. Yet, the current steps are falling short in the face of the city's worsening pollution," Rai admitted.
Call for an Emergency Meeting and Urgent Action on Artificial Rain
Rai highlighted that the Delhi government has been consulting with environmental experts to explore additional strategies, including artificial rain, to mitigate smog and clear the air. Artificial rain could significantly help in reducing airborne pollutants, improving air quality in the short term. However, Rai expressed his frustration with the Center’s lack of response on this matter, stating that there has been no reply from the Union Environment Ministry regarding the Delhi government’s repeated requests for an emergency meeting and for approval of artificial rain.
"If the Central Government is unable to take immediate action, it should consider the resignation of its Environment Minister," Rai stated, reflecting the Delhi government’s dissatisfaction with the Center’s current stance on the escalating pollution crisis.
Demand to enforce GRAP consistently across N India
In addition to seeking intervention from Prime Minister Modi, Rai called on the Center to lead a coordinated response by involving experts from IIT Kanpur, who have conducted extensive research on artificial rain. He emphasized the need for collaboration across central departments to ensure a successful and comprehensive pollution reduction strategy.
Moreover, he urged the central government to extend the GRAP guidelines to the entire North Indian region, suggesting that pollution control measures should not be restricted solely to Delhi.
Rai also slammed BJP-led states, alleging that these states are not adhering to pollution control norms. He insisted that enforcing GRAP consistently across North India would create a more substantial impact on pollution reduction.
(PRAKASH KUMAR PANDEY)
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