Burning of crop residue major source of air pollution: Delhi

The major source of air pollution here are chemicals produced from burning the residue of crop cutting - majorly done in the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab, the Delhi government said on Wednesday.

"Western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab produce a lot of chemicals after burning the residue of crop cutting which is a major source of air pollution here," Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain told the media.

The higher levels of air pollution in the national capital was not a local phenomenon but, "agriculture producing states are also affected a lot", he said, adding that the government had written to the neighbouring states asking, "to control the amount of chemicals produced and find alternatives for farmers".

He said that the odd-even traffic rationing scheme would only be implemented in the "worst case scenario as it was needed last year".

"If the farmers burry the residue instead of burning it, the pollution level would be low and it will also add to the fertility of the soil," he said.

--IANS

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