Delhi asks neighbouring states to check stubble burning

To maintain the air quality and check pollution in the national capital, Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain has written to his counterparts in four neighbouring states to check crop stubble burning.

In a letter addressed to the Environment Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan on Friday, Hussain requested them to take preventive measures, said an official on Saturday.

The Minister pointed out that with the onset of winter, Delhi faces a critical phase of air pollution due to conditions like low wind velocity and temperature, leading to an increase in the particles in the air.

"It is therefore, requested that concerned authorities or officers of your government may please be directed to take preventive and controlling measures for air pollution resulting from crop burning. So that the air pollution levels in Delhi and NCR may be restricted during the critical period," the Minister said.

The Delhi government also reminded the neighbouring states that the National Green Tribunal and Delhi High Court have already on different occasions reminded them to submit the action plan to prevent air pollution due to crop stubble burning after the harvest season.

Last year after Diwali, the smog situation in Delhi due to the crop burning was quite critical.

--IANS

am-kd/pgh/bg