Air pollution rising due to stubble burning in neighbouring states: Delhi govt

Ruling out that air pollution in the national capital is not entirely a result of a local phenomenon, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain on Wednesday said stubble burning in neighbouring states like Western Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana are equally responsible for the rise in air pollution here.

Jain told ANI that they have requested all the neighbouring states to check stubble burning.

"This is not the Delhi's local phenomenon as this pollution is rising at both ends of 100 kms. There is a rise in air pollution level due to burning of agricultural residues by neighbouring states like Western Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana and we have requested them to check it," He added.

The minister further said pollution is also rising in nearby villages and there is an urgent need to stop the burning of agricultural residues.

"The states and the Centre need to take effective measures to curb pollution and stop this burning of agricultural residues," he said.

Meanwhile, Jain also said if pollution increased to an alarming level in the national capital, they would definitely reintroduce the odd-even scheme.