Centre and state will work together to implement steps to combat air pollution, but more needs to be done. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minsiter, Prakash Javadekar chaired a review meeting on the situation of air pollution which has been a recurrent environmental concern in winter season in Northern India especially in Delhi NCR region over last few years. Five states Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab particpated in the meeting.
In an effort to combat air pollution caused due to stubble burning, the centre has allotted a fund of Rs. 1700 crore to the states for stubble management. Currently, 80% subsidy to cooperatives and 50% subsidy to individuals on machineries for stubble is being provided to curb pollution caused due to stubble burning.
He further added that the trial of Pusa Microbial Decomposer Capsule is underway in Delhi NCR and Uttar Pradesh will be using this technology over an area of 10,000 hectrares this year and Delhi will be using the same for 800 hectares as informed by Environment Ministers of these states during the meeting. He also stated the importance of using Bio Decomposers, Bio CNG and Bio power to reduce air pollution and its negative impact.
There are several other factors that contribute to air pollution other than stubble burning which include constructions and demolition waste, poor waste management, unpaved roads and dust management, Bio mass burning, etc. He informed about several measures taken by the centre like BS VI norms have been introduced; power plants of Badarpur have Sonipat have been closed. Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways have helped massively in reducing vehicular air pollution in Delhi and nearly 60,000 vehicles are diverted from Delhi which earlier used to go through Delhi.
