Kant talks of 'ruthless action' to clean up Delhi air

Flagging concerns about air pollution in Delhi-NCR, Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant today called for "very ruthless action" on a continuous basis, including banning of more than 12-year old cars in the city.
"Very ruthless action is required on continuous sustained basis for a long time to clean up air quality in Delhi... More than 12-year old cars need to be totally prohibited from movement in Delhi. There is going to be short-term pain, but long-term gain," Kant said at an event organised by industry body CII.
Kant highlighted agriculture crop residual burning in neighbouring states as a major challenge and "we should treat this as a national emergency".

He, however, noted that farmers are putting agriculture crop residual back in soil and making it a viable economic commercial activity.
At the same time, Kant made it clear that the municipal corporation should do its bit to clean up Delhi.
He cautioned the public against using of household coal fuel and municipal waste burning.

"Delhi state has coal-fired power plants. You need to take coal-fired power plants out of Delhi. The government has taken some measures," he pointed out.
"The Delhi government should not allow lorries to enter the city which are not meant for Delhi."
Calling the level of pollution as "an emergency" that needs radical measures, Kant said, "This is a world of sharing economy. We don't need 1,400 new cars everyday on Delhi roads. Create a fast track lane to passenger vehicles that will spread the sharing economy."

In a lighter vein, he said he used to play golf thrice in a week, but due to severe air pollution, he has missed it in the last three weeks.
He also nudged the Delhi government to plant 10 million plants in a year, adding that "we need to push for electric and hybrid buses".
A World Bank report highlights that cost of environment damage due to air pollution amounts to three per cent of India's GDP of which outdoor air pollution accounts for 17 per cent and indoor 13 per cent.
Referring to the government's move to withdraw high-value old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, Kant acknowledged short-term hiccups, but at the same time pointed to long-term benefits.

Speaking on the same occasion, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said, "One day, people will demand cleaner air as a fundamental right."
On crop residue burning in neighbouring states of Delhi, Prabhu added, "Regulation does not always help. It must be linked to some marked-based idea.