Govt to ask Delhi to prepare master plan to check pollution

Concerned over rising pollution in the national capital, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar today said the ministry will ask the AAP government to prepare a master plan to deal with the problem which is affecting millions of people in Delhi.
"It is a very serious issue. We are asking the Delhi government to prepare a master plan (on how to deal with the problem)," Javadekar said.
According to official sources, the minister will hold a meeting with the Delhi government officials next week.
The minister's move comes in the backdrop of air pollution surveys conducted by various NGOs, including Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Greenpeace, which have revealed that Delhi's air is extremely unhealthy and strong measures are required to tackle the issue.

Meanwhile, renowned environmentalist Sunita Narain-headed CSE said it will unveil a roadmap tomorrow which could show the way to improve air quality of Delhi.
"The euphoria of the election victory is over, and Delhi's new government has, as per reports, begun its work in right earnest. And among the multitude of tasks that awaits it is a particularly onerous one: finding a way to unclog the city and clean up its air.
"Delhi has now acquired the dubious distinction of being one of the most polluted cities in the world. How will the city undo this reputation? Will the Aam Aadmi Party succeed where others failed?" the NGO said.

A recent survey conducted by Greenpeace had found that the deadly PM2.5 levels in the national capital was 10 times higher than the safety limit prescribed by the World Health Organisation.