Delhi choking because of stubble-burning in neighbouring states: Kejriwal

Stating that the national capital is shrouded in toxic haze because of stubble-burning in neighbouring states, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday requested Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh governments to provide machinery and equipment to their farmers to stop the activity.

The national capital is choking because of stubble-burning in the neighbouring states of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, he told at a press conference here.

According to Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality monitor SAFAR, the share of stubble-burning in Delhi's pollution has risen to 35 percent, the season's highest, and the hazardous haze shrouding the city on Wednesday can be "purely" attributed to it.

"Everyone can see how polluted the air is since yesterday. Delhi is choking because of the stubble-burning in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. I want to request the BJP to pressure its governments in both the states to provide facilities and equipment to farmers to stop them from burning stubble," Kejriwal said.

He also appealed to the Congress-led government in Punjab to stop stubble burning in the state.

Kejriwal said he has spoken to many farmers from Punjab and Haryana, who say they are ready to stop burning stubble if they get alternate machinery which can benefit them in one way or the other.

"The farmers are ready, but there is a lack of effort by the governments. The incidents of stubble-burning have doubled from the previous year, which is a matter of worry for everyone," he said.

From March to mid-October this year, the air quality in Delhi was good and moderate, but after October 15, the air quality started deteriorating, he said. "This is due to the stubble burning."